Zipse: Unbeaten Crude Velocity is electric in Preakness prep

On a day of big performances, few were more impressive than the win by Crude Velocity. It’s a victory that likely will send him straight to Maryland as the favorite for the Preakness Stakes. 

As it should be, the first Saturday in May belongs to the Kentucky Derby winner. Hearty congratulations go out to Golden Tempo, trainer Cherie DeVaux, rider Jose Ortiz, and the owner-breeder combination of Vinnie Viola and the Phipps Stable. While the last-to-first charge of the strapping son of Curlin will have its rightful place in the history books, it was not the only story on Saturday at Churchill Downs. 

Although there was other talent in the one-turn affair, Saturday’s Pat Day Mile (G2) was billed as a showdown between two unbeaten and highly talented colts in Crude Velocity, the 3-2 favorite, and Englishman, his 8-5 counterpart. The pair would not disappoint. 

Both were very impressive in their first two starts. Something would have to give. Eventually, that something would be Englishman. 

Breaking just a bit slowly, the Bob Baffert-trained Crude Velocity effortlessly accelerated into contention within a few strides to get into contention early. Meanwhile, the speedy Englishman was already on the lead and setting down racehorse-type early fractions. 

Cooking down the Churchill Downs backstretch through early splits of 22.06 and 44.20 seconds, Englishman looked strong on the lead, but Crude Velocity remained close and in striking distance. That remained the story on the turn through three-quarters in 1:08.13. 

Florent Geroux, who has been aboard the winner in all three starts, asked for more early in the stretch, and Crude Velocity responded. Englishman still had plenty of horse, but it was just a matter of time before the impressive winner powered by. 

Crude Velocity poured it on late and crossed the wire 3 3/4 lengths clear of his talented rival. He completed the one-turn mile in 1:33.87 in winning his stakes debut. 

“He’s an amazing horse,” Geroux said. “He’s not very big and I have worked in the mornings, and I told Bob (Baffert) it was the best 3-year-old in his barn. I wish we had more time to develop and I think he would have been in the Derby today.” 

While we wait to see which of Golden Tempo, Renegade and other strong runners from the Kentucky Derby come back in two weeks for the Preakness, it is hard not to be excited about the prospects of Crude Velocity. 

"This horse is a freaky horse,” said his eight-time Preakness winning trainer. “He is so talented. I was very surprised that he was able to win first out with all of the trouble he got in. If he stays healthy, we'll be hearing from this horse down the road." 

That career debut referenced by Baffert did not happen until March 7 at Santa Anita, and Crude Velocity was shown a surprising lack of respect by bettors. That proved to be a mistake. 

Let go at 10-1 for his unveiling, the son of young sire Beau Liam looked the part of a long shot when he walked out of the starting gate. He quickly accelerated into contention but found no room stuck on the rail for much of the backstretch. 

Geroux had a ton of horse, though, and Crude Velocity came again with a burst of speed on the far turn. The pair had to work down the stretch to get by the Grade 1-placed Civil Liberty, but they would not be denied in the 6 1/2-furlong maiden race and prevailed by a neck. 

Off that flashy debut victory, the secret was now out about the $250,000 2-year-old Ocala purchase. In his next start four weeks later, Crude Velocity was hammered down to 1-2 favoritism and overwhelmed his allowance competition with a 6 3/4-length victory. The final time of 1:14.32 for the 6 1/2 furlongs underscored how good the bay colt looked in his second career start. 

After the impressive win, his owner Bill Childs said the Pat Day Mile and the Preakness would be the next two starts for the budding star. Although Baffert would not commit to the middle jewel after the Pat Day Mile victory, it would seem likely that the plan will remain in effect for the unbeaten graded-stakes winner. 

As far as his prospects for more distance in the 1 3/16-mile Preakness, which will be run at Laurel Park this year, Crude Velocity is sired by a very fast son of Liam’s Map. Beau Liam had only four career starts, but he flashed a high degree of talent in those races. 

With speed from his sire, Crude Velocity gets the potential for distance from his female side. Out of the unraced mare Sweetnsour Kitty, his broodmare sire is Lemon Drop Kid. The five-time Grade 1 winner, including the 12-furlong Belmont Stakes of 1999, has been a consistent source of stamina in American bloodlines since his retirement from racing. 

Unbeaten and ultra-impressive in his first three starts, if Crude Velocity indeed comes back on short rest to run in the Preakness, he would be one of the more intriguing new shooters in recent years. 

He surely would be the top prospect among those who did not run in the Kentucky Derby and could well go favored even if Golden Tempo and other big-name runners from the run for the roses show up in Maryland. Crude Velocity looks like one with limitless potential.