Kentucky Derby 2019 Radar: Soldado, Omaha Beach impress
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Photo:
Eclipse Sportswire
While Gulfstream Park on Saturday hosted the Holy Bull (G2) and Santa Anita Park the Robert B. Lewis (G3), two of the fastest 3-year-old colts at the respective tracks didn't run in the featured stakes.
Both, however, hit the 2019 Kentucky Derby Radar with maiden-breaking performances that could put them on the trail in their next starts.
First, in California, Omaha Beach delivered a visually stunning performance in Santa Anita's fifth race. After a bobble at the start, the Richard Mandella trainee pressed the pace three wide, burst into the lead before the turn and skipped ahead to a nine-length victory under Flavien Prat.
But, as with Hidden Scroll's much-discussed debut last weekend, this win came in the slop. Omaha Beach certainly benefitted from the going, but he has also proven to be a reliable runner in five starts with three three runner-up finishes, including one Jan. 4 to Nolo Contesto, who was scheduled for the Robert B. Lewis but scratched due to the track condition.
Omaha Beach registered a 90 Beyer Speed Figure, same as Robert B. Lewis winner Mucho Gusto, while completing seven furlongs in 1:21.02. The son of War Front runs in the Fox Hill Farms colors.
Minutes later at Gulfstream, an untraditional type of Todd Pletcher runner scored on debut. Virginia-bred Soldado out-ran his $8,000 purchase price as a 2-year-old, making a powerful move toward the turn to challenge and then turn back race favorite Honest Mischief, a Juddmonte Farms homebred.
Soldado, by Verrazano, finished 2 3/4 lengths clear in a final time of 1:10.13 for six furlongs under jockey Luis Saez. The effort earned a 91 Beyer Speed Figure, three points higher than Holy Bull winner Harvey Wallbanger's number and best for any 3-year-old racing Saturday at Gulfstream.
The most-recent Virginia-bred to run in the Kentucky Derby was Bodemeister in 2012. The state has produced multiple winners, too, including Secretariat.
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