Kentucky Derby 2020 Radar: Bodexpress' trainer aims at preps
After Soros broke his maiden in the Nov. 30 Smooth Air Stakes at Gulfstream Park, trainer Gustavo Delgado couldn’t offer much on the 2-year-old Commissioner colt’s future, saying, “This is a horse that we own and is open for sale, so we don’t know what will happen next.”
“We took the bait,” quipped Aron Wellman, president of Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners, who said the group has purchased Soros with intentions of running him along the 2020 Kentucky Derby trail.
Delgado retained a minority share in the chestnut and will continue to train him from his south Florida base.
“He’s an exciting colt that should put himself right into the thick of things as the calendar turns,” Wellman said.
Soros finished second to California Chrome’s half-brother, Fort McHenry, in his Nov. 2 debut going a mile at Gulfstream Park West. Fort McHenry didn’t fire when running back in the Smooth Air as Soros rallied to win the $75,000 event by 2 1/2 lengths.
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Soros is scheduled to work this weekend, “and we’ll plot things out from there,” Wellman said. “He’s a stakes winner, and everything’s on the table.”
Lacking recent breezes, Soros may be a bit short for the Jan. 4 Mucho Macho Man Stakes going a one-turn mile at Gulfstream. It leads into the local series of points-paying Derby preps: the Holy Bull (G2), Fountain of Youth (G2) and Florida Derby (G1).
Delgado, Venezuela’s all-time leading trainer, conditioned four Triple Crown winners in his native country before transitioning to the United States with Kentucky Derby dreams. He’s twice made it there with Majesto (18th, 2016) and Bodexpress (13th, 2019).
While building up his American operation, Delgado has been aided by Venezuelan owners. His other U.S. graded winners include Grand Bili, Grand Tito, Paola Queen and Speed Franco.
“We’ve followed him and been impressed by the job that he’s done with limited opportunities,” Wellman said. “He certainly knows how to get the job done with the right animal.”
An as for Soros, he added, “This horse seems to have the makeup to get him back there again. We’re optimistic.”