Kentucky Derby 2019 Radar: Joevia 'late onto the scene'

Gregg Sacco already has a top Kentucky Derby 2019 prospect in Grade 1 winner Mind Control, who is scheduled to run in Saturday’s Grade 3, $300,000 Gotham Stakes at Aqueduct. But the trainer could have a second horse joining the Derby trail in Joevia.

Owned by Michael Fazio and Jeff Fazio, Joevia returned from a seven-month layoff Feb. 9 to run second in the Jimmy Winkfield Stakes at Aqueduct. Connections are now eyeing a two-turn test that could boost the Shanghai Bobby colt into the final round of Derby preps.

“He’s a horse that’s coming along late onto the scene,” Sacco said. “We’re going to try to carve out a path. The owners would like to make it to the Derby if he’s good enough, so every race is a stepping stone. It looks like we’re going to go March 16 to the Private Terms at Laurel. That will give him some shipping experience and a race around two turns.

“Kelley Rubley has a really nice colt, Alwaysmining, that’s won four in a row, so it’ll be a good test. And if he passes that we can come back in one of the major preps in April, probably the Blue Grass with him.

“But he’s trained really well. He’s a talented colt, we knew that from day one last year.”

Sacco named the March 24 Sunland Derby (G3) as an alternate plan to the $100,000 Private Terms Stakes, but feels Sunland represents a tougher test, and Joevia would have to ship farther. Competition awaits in the 1 1/16-mile Private Terms with Alwaysmining, a three-times stakes winner at Laurel. 

“I’m not taking anything away from him,” Sacco added, “because I think that would be the standout colt, as opposed to several horses at Sunland to beat.”

The Private Terms runs three weeks prior to the Keeneland's April 6 Blue Grass Stakes (G2), which offers Derby points on a 100-40-20-10 scale.

Joevia, who was Mind Control’s workmate as the two prepared for their career debuts last year, made his first start July 15 at Monmouth Park. He settled just off the pace going five furlongs before edging clear by 1 ¾ lengths. Sacco said connections were aiming for the Saratoga Special (G2) following the debut victory, but Joevia came out of a work with a hyperextended knee.

After three months off and clean X-rays, Joevia rejoined the work tab in December at Belmont Park. He entered the seven-furlong Jimmy Winkfield two months later and was off at 18-1. Joevia inherited the lead early and maintained control through most of the stretch run. Haikal, a half-brother to Grade 1 winner Takaful, took the rail route and passed Joevia by a neck. Joevia held his position over Tikhvin Flew, who will join Haikal in the Gotham. 

Jockey Christopher DeCarlo was aboard for both of Joevia’s starts.

While the Jimmy Winkfield was not the return target for Joevia, the colt pulled through for connections.

“We were looking for an a-other-than,” Sacco said. “With the timing, it wasn’t there in New York, and we didn’t want to ship in from New York to run, so the Jimmy Winkfield wasn’t exactly the place we wanted to start, but we knew his talent and he really ran dynamite against a couple horses that were coming off some big wins.

“We were very pleased with that effort and now we just hope he moves forward in his next race with natural progression.”