Kentucky Derby 2020 Radar: Super John 'ready for the task'

Super John’s maiden-breaking effort last August was one of the most unique from this crop. The Super Saver colt won on second asking at Laurel Park by a whopping 19½ lengths, but only after wandering out toward the grandstand during his stretch run.

Since that wild first win, the John Servis trainee has run three times, with a much more conventional victory Dec. 15 at Laurel Park serving as a springboard to the 2020 Kentucky Derby trail.

The 3-year-old is probable for Grade 3, $250,000 Sam F. Davis Stakes, a Tampa Bay Downs feature that pays points toward the Derby on a 10-4-2-1 basis.

Super John was originally pointed to make his Derby trail debut Jan. 18 in Fair Grounds’ Lecomte (G3), but a canceled flight changed those plans. Servis shifted toward the Sam Davis, which locally leads into the March 7 Tampa Bay Derby (G2).

“He’s one of those horses that’s on the bubble,” Servis said Sunday. “We don’t know if he’s a Derby horse or not, but he’s at the stage where we’re ready to find out.”

D.J. Stable LLC and Cash is King LLC campaign Super John, who Servis bought for $180,000 last spring.

Following Super John’s eventful first win, Servis put blinkers on the colt for Monmouth Park’s black-type Sapling Stakes on Sept. 1. He ran sixth of eight in a field that included stablemate Mischevious Alex, dominant winner of Saturday’s Swale Stakes (G3).

“It kind of backfired on us,” Servis said of Super John’s equipment change. “He was rank and running up on horses’ heels. Joe Bravo rode him and really had his hands full. Subsequently, he really didn’t run that well.”

After time off, Servis brought Super John back for an allowance optional claiming race Nov. 14 at Laurel. That day, he inherited an early lead when the pace setter “just stopped,” Servis said, and gave way late to finish third.

Last race, Servis emphasized to jockey Feargal Lynch not to let Super John get too early of a lead. The colt rated, took command coming into the stretch and won by 5 ½ lengths.

Now Super John takes a step up in class for the Sam F. Davis. Undefeated Nashua Stakes (G3) and Jerome Stakes winner Independence Hall – a colt who’s shown some maturity issues of his own – headlines the field.

Remsen Stakes (G2) runner-up Ajaaweed and unbeaten Gulfstream Park allowance winner Premier Star will be among Super John’s rivals gunning for the favorite.

“I mean, it looks like it’s going to come up a little salty with Independence Hall and a couple of these other horses,” Servis said. “I think he’s ready for the task and listen, if he runs second to Independence Hall, that wouldn’t hurt my feelings any.”