Good Magic leads Brown’s Kentucky Derby 2018 cast

As Good Magic walked the shed row, Chad Brown waiting for the track to open Tuesday morning at Churchill Downs, the trainer told his staff, “I’ve never seen a horse look this good.”

That comes from a guy who worked for the legendary Bobby Frankel. Who has saddled champions of his own. And who is seeking a 2018 Kentucky Derby win.

With the son of Curlin now Las Vegas’ second choice, Good Magic went out for his first gallop over a sloppy track, then returned to a barn packed with stars. In addition to the Blue Grass Stakes winner going in the Derby, Brown has this lineup targeting stakes the first weekend of May at Churchill:

— He said “there’s now a chance” unbeaten 3-year-old turf filly Rushing Fall could go in the Grade 3 Edgewood.

— Another undefeated sophomore Mask, a big early name on the Derby trail who suffered a setback, will return in the Grade 3 Pat Day Mile.

— Brown will be represented by Beach Patrol and Kurilov in the Grade 1 Old Forester Turf Classic, previously known as the Woodford Reserve Turf Classic.

— Lewis Bay goes in the Grade 1 Humana Distaff.

With Mask in particular, Brown said “I think it’s a little too late” to think he could factor later in the Triple Crown series. Last out, the Tapit colt moved to 2-for-2 in the Jan. 6 Mucho Macho Man Stakes, winning by 8 1/4 lengths at Gulfstream Park.

“Right now, we just want to see how far he’ll go as well,” Brown said. “He’s never been two turns. The horse trains with plenty of ability. I do believe he’ll go two turns down the road. He’ll be interesting to see how he develops this summer.”

But back to the main attraction. Good Magic, who broke his maiden with an impressive Breeders’ Cup Juvenile effort, returned to run third in the Grade 2 Fountain of Youth at Gulfstream. Brown later admitted — and brought up again Tuesday — that the colt dealt with foot issues during the winter and wasn’t fully fit for that race.

Concerns were alleviated when he dashed to win the Blue Grass at Keeneland.

“For as many great horses as we’ve had, this is a really rare horse,” Brown said. “To have a champion 2-year-old from last year that’s coming in in good form going to the Derby is just very exciting. The longer you do this, you appreciate how hard it is to get a horse like this in your barn. We’re just thankful to have him.”

The Blue Grass came with speed figures across the board a cut below, for instance, Santa Anita Derby winner Justify, who should go as the favorite in the Kentucky Derby. But Brown evidenced that he’s faced and won in larger fields than some of his top rivals.

“Particularly in his last race, in the Blue Grass, in the first turn it got tight there and he got banged around,” Brown said. “I was proud of him — how he elbowed his way and kept his spot there. I’m hoping that experience serves him well in the Derby.”

Good Magic will work out once more this weekend at Churchill Down while completing his preparations for the race.