Half sibling to Bayern could hit the 2018 Kentucky Derby trail
Trainer Mark Casse said John Oxley, Gainesway Farm, Helen Alexander and Stuart Huston’s Arrival, an impressive 3 ¾-length maiden winner at Churchill Downs on Wednesday, could make his next start in a points-paying 2018 Kentucky Derby prep: the Grade 2, $200,000 Kentucky Jockey Club on Nov. 25.
“I thought he ran really well (Wednesday),” Casse said. “The track wasn’t playing too fast and his time came back well. I’d say right now he’s possible for the Jockey Club.
“I had a conversation with Mr. Oxley (Wednesday) night about that race and we’re going to wait to see how Get the Facts runs Friday and make a better decision then.”
Get the Facts, an Oxley homebred, is entered in Friday’s eighth race at Churchill Downs, a 1 1/16-mile first-level allowance for 2-year-olds. The son of Tapit is the 4-1 co-second choice on the morning line with Julien Leparoux aboard.
Arrival, an $800,000 purchase at the 2016 Keeneland September Yearling Sale, is the half-brother to 2016 Breeders’ Cup Classic (GI) winner Bayern. Arrival broke his maiden Wednesday in a 1 1/16-mile maiden special weight while clocking 1:45.07 under Leparoux. The Kentucky-bred gray or roan colt led wire-to-wire and returned $7.60 to win.
Source: Churchill Downs communications