Kentucky Derby 2019 Radar: Award Winner steps forward

On trainer Brian Lynch’s walk to the paddock Saturday before Gulfstream Park’s seventh race, someone questioned his decision to run Award Winner — half-brother of Oscar Performance — on dirt rather than turf.

“In all fairness to him,” Lynch said, “he came down to the winner’s circle and said, ‘I’ve got to apologize.’”

The recently retired Oscar Performance, who won Grade 1 races on grass in 2016, 2017 and 2018, is by noted turf sire Kitten’s Joy. However, another out of the mare Devine Actress, Award Winner, is by Ghostzapper, the damsire of Triple Crown winner Justify.

Given Award Winner’s maiden-breaking effort, a trip down the 2019 Kentucky Derby trail could await.

“That would be the pipe dream,” Lynch said. “He’s always worked so well on dirt.”

Award Winner rebounded from a sixth-place effort on debut at Churchill Downs to win easily Saturday, galloping to a 4 1/2-lengths victory under jockey Jose Ortiz. The race ran over a sloppy, sealed track with the final time for a mile 1:38.86.

“His first start, he wasn’t really ready,” Lynch said. “I never really try to crank them up too high. If they’re any good, they usually take that big step forward the second time, which he did.

“You just hope that he can progress in that pattern, and who knows what you’re looking at by March or April.”

Lynch speaks of “good vibes” with Award Winner, who was bred by and runs in the colors of Amerman Racing, same as Oscar Performance. Lynch, a native Australian, worked with Ghostzapper’s trainer, Bobby Frankel, at the time the barn ran the 2004 Breeders’ Cup Classic winner. Then Lynch headed up a Woodbine division of Frankel’s operation for Ghostzapper’s owner, Stronach Stables, before striking out on his own.

“There’s a lot of chemistry with this horse,” Lynch said.

Of course, Devine Actress also produced Oscar Nominated, the Ken and Sarah Ramsey runner who entered the 2016 Kentucky Derby. That horse, still running at age 5, made the Derby his only dirt start after qualifying by winning Turfway Park's prep race on synthetic.

As connections plot out Award Winner's campaign, a two-turn entry level allowance start should be next near the end of January.

“I’ll give him plenty of time,” Lynch said, “and if he was to take that step forward again, we’ll get a little bit more creative with him.”