Barn Tour: Joseph has 2 hopefuls for the Kentucky Derby

Saffie Joseph Jr. comes out of another Gulfstream Park meet with another training title. And he finished off the championship meet in a big way, with Catalytic finishing best of the rest behind Fierceness in the Grade 1 Florida Derby and likely earning a spot in Kentucky Derby 2024.

“We're always trying to get better, and to win a third championship meet in a row was very gratifying for all the work that the staff put in, and that's what puts me in this position,” Joseph told Horse Racing Nation on Monday. “I have a good team that works hard and we try to do it together. And the owners that supply these horses, the horses are the backbone and the big piece of the puzzle.”

Joseph said he has about 150 to 160 horses in training.

“We've got quality and we've got quantity, and that's what you need to win titles and to stay relevant in today's industry,” he said. “You've got to keep winning. That's what people want.”

People also want to win the Kentucky Derby, and Joseph could have two running for the roses at Churchill Downs on May 5. He discussed the colts and other talent in his stable for the latest in HRN’s Barn Tour series.

Catalytic. The Florida Derby was the third start and first stakes for this son of Catalina Cruiser, who won his debut in October then returned at Tampa Bay Downs in March to finish second in an optional-claiming allowance, gaining ground late after hitting the gate at the start. Then it was on to take on Fierceness in the Kentucky Derby prep.

“Not the way you're going to a Florida Derby, but we thought he acted up a bit in the gate (in the allowance) and was very restless in the paddock and was kind of behind at the quarter pole. Looked like he was going to run a distant fourth. But then he really got going, he's got his mind on that and ran second. So we thought, all that went wrong that day, he was able to overcome that adversity. And that's kind of what gave us confidence because a lot of horses lose their race like that, they don't even hit the board. And he still tried after all that.

“We gave him a chance in the Florida Derby. The owners wanted to give him a shot. It was back in only three weeks, but they had rather run him back here instead of shipping him for another prep. He showed up and he ran big. He ran into the best 3-year-old this year, obviously, and probably one of the fastest 3-year-old runners when he shows up. Fierceness, when he shows up, he's unbeatable.”

Joseph was non-committal about the Kentucky Derby for Catalytic, who is owned by Tami Bobo, Julie Davies and George Isaacs.

“Normally you get beat like that, you're not that happy. But in this case, we were ecstatic. It felt like a win for us, and it earned points to get him into the Derby. And if the horse shows the right signs, we will go. If he doesn't, then we'll look for a different path.”

Merit. Joseph said this Mastery colt owned by Peter E. Blum Thoroughbreds will be entered in the Wood Memorial (G2), with 100-50-25-15-10 Kentucky Derby qualifying points on offer. His first stakes start comes after a runner-up effort in an optional-claiming allowance at Gulfstream on March 1. He had won his debut in November then was third in an optional claimer, both at Gulfstream. And now on to the Wood. “We’re giving him him a shot there. We think he goes there with a good chance.”

Other 3-year-olds

Abrumar. After finishing third in his Woodbine debut for a different trainer in August, the Divisidero colt was bought by Kenneth Ramsey and moved to Joseph. He’s gone 3-for-3 at Gulfstream since, all at Gulfstream, most recently winning the listed Colonel Liam Stakes. Next up for him is the American Turf (G2) on the Kentucky Derby undercard. “Nice, nice horse. Very versatile, has speed, stays well and has a turn of foot.”

Mystic Lake. This Mo Town filly has a 7: 3-1-1 record and won the black-type Sophomore Fillies Stakes at Gulfstream last out. “We had run her on the turf the race before, and that Florida-bred stake seemed to be coming up a bit easier, and we thought we would just run her back there. It wasn't initially in the plans, but it worked out well because that was back on the dirt again, and she won well and received some good figures on it. The plan for her is to send her up to Canada. She's going to run up there in a few stakes up there, one early in April.”

R Harper Rose. The Khozan filly has a 6: 4-2-0 record and won the Forward Gal (G3) two back before getting caught in the stretch to finish second in the black-type Any Limit last out. “Bit disappointed that she got beat, a nice filly beat her, but I think she's better than that. The plan was to try to go to the Any Limit and then go on to the Eight Belles, and we're still on target for the Eight Belles.”

Older horses

Skippylongstocking. The 5-year-old son of Exaggerator bounced back from a DNF in the Pegasus World Cup (G1) to win the Challenger (G3) on March 9 his fifth graded win. “Obviously the Pegasus was a race to throw out. He checked out well after that and we thought we were back on track. And we went back to the same road we went last year, the Challenger at Tampa, and he won it again. So good to get that win back. It was a relief after the Pegasus, a relief to get him back on track. From that race on, we're going to the Oaklawn Handicap with him. He's on target for the Oaklawn Handicap on April 20.”

Honor D Lady. The 4-year-old Honor Code filly won the Royal Delta (G3) in her 2024 debut. “She's doing well. … She's on track to run in the Apple Blossom (G1) on April 13.”

Accomplished Girl. After finishing eighth in the Pegasus World Cup Filly & Mare Turf, this 4-year-old daughter of Street Boss went back to sprinting last out and finished fifth in the black-type Captiva Island. “We tried her long, and she ran … second and then she ran in the Pegasus Turf and then we cut her back the other day. We thought that's her best distance. She ran uncharacteristically, just ran flat. So we'll freshen her up and there's a stake for her, a Grade 3 at Woodbine opening week." That’s the Whimsical on May 4.

Spirit Wind. The 5-year-old daughter of Bahamian Squall was third last out in the Hurricane Bertie (G3), her first start since winning the Sugar Swirl (G3) in December off a seven-month layoff. Joseph said she’s pointed to the Derby City Distaff (G1) on the Kentucky Derby undercard.

Soul of an Angel. The 5-year-old daughter of Atreides recently joined Joseph’s barn after finishing sixth in the Azeri (G2) and second in the Royal Delta. He said she’ll probably start in the Ruffian (G2) on May 4 at Aqueduct.

O’Connor. The 7-year-old son of Boboman won the Fayette (G2) and Harlan’s Holiday (G3) before finishing fifth in the Pegasus World Cup (G1. Then he was shipped west for the Santa Anita Handicap (G1) on March 2 but was scratched after developing a fever. “He got shipping fever, and then he's been basically a mess. Like he got really sick, and he's been in a clinic now for the last three to four weeks. He's doing much better, but it's a long road to recovery.”

Lord Miles. The 4-year-old Curlin colt, winner of last year’s Wood Memorial (G2), hasn’t raced since August but is back at work at Gulfstream. Expect to see him in allowance race in April.

Ny Traffic. The 7-year-old son of Cross Traffic was third last out in the Harlan’s Holiday and hasn’t worked since January. “He had an issue that we had to address. So we have given him some time off and no decision has been made on what we're going to do with him yet.”