Irap Looks for Winning Form in Ohio Derby

The $500,000 Ohio Derby (G3) at JACK Thistledown Racino this Saturday is setting up to be a jockey’s race, with most on the current list of probables unaccustomed to leading the way and a couple who can if called on.

One who typically runs close to the pace and could make the lead is Kentucky Derby contender Irap. The Doug O’Neill trainee will make his first start Saturday after getting caught in traffic and finishing well off the board in the Kentucky Derby.

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“If the race comes up short on speed, that’s to our benefit,” O’Neill said. “He can be forwardly placed without having to go at breakneck speed.”

O’Neill has laid out an ambitious campaign for Irap beginning with his debut in October. In nine career starts, the colt has gone a mile or longer in eight of his races and faced stakes competition in six, including five graded contests. He tried Grade 1 company in just his third start, the Los Alamitos Cash Call Futurity, where he finished second to the highly regarded, undefeated Mastery. After placing in the Robert B. Lewis Stakes (G3) and the Mine That Bird Derby, Irap earned his way to the Kentucky Derby with a win in the Blue Grass Stakes (G2) at Keeneland, defeating such standouts as McCraken, J Boys Echo and eventual Belmont Stakes winner Tapwrit.

“He’s knocked heads with some good horses, for sure,” said O’Neill. “But he’s by Tiznow, so he’s got the pedigree. He’s got a lot of stamina on the bottom. The Blue Grass brought that all home for us. He needs things to go his way, but he’s maturing as a 3-year-old and I think he will get better and better with age.”

Irap has a history of long works and regularly breezes six furlongs, including his last work in 1:13.80 June 17.  “I put a lot of miles in him,” said O’Neill. “It keeps him happy, and he gallops strong. He has a high cruising speed.”

Julien Leparoux had the winning mount in the Blue Grass and returns for the Ohio Derby.

Irap will arrive at Thistledown Tuesday in the care of assistant trainer Sabas Rivera and get acquainted with the track under regular exercise rider Jonny Garcia.

New shooter for Loooch Racing, Vibe aims for first stakes win

Ron Paolucci’s Loooch Racing Stable has dominated the Thistledown owner standings in recent years and will attempt to win the Ohio Derby trophy with Vibe. Loooch Racing bought the Astrology gelding from Big Chief Racing after his first eight stars, all in California. New trainer Bob Hess Jr. took him to Charles Town for the Robert Hilton Memorial Stakes April 22, where he finished fourth racing off the pace as he typically does.

In his next and most recent start, Michael Ann Ewing saddled Vibe to an allowance win May 21 at Churchill Downs, of interest for three reasons: he clocked all the pace except when briefly headed at the stretch call, battled back to regain the lead and did so at the Ohio Derby distance.

Vibe is now back with Hess and has been stabled at Thistledown since last Thursday. He galloped over the track the next day and put in his final work last Saturday, going five furlongs in 59 flat for his second straight bullet.

“He’s getting his confidence,” Hess said. “He’s a hard tryer and he has a lot of heart. He’s taking a step forward here but the work (at Thistledown) shows he likes the track. He’s ready and we’re looking forward to it.”

Regular Thistledown rider Ricardo Feliciano was aboard for the work and will have the mount Saturday.

Others on the early probables list for the Ohio Derby are Kentucky Derby contenders Girvin (trainer Joe Sharp) and Untrapped (Steve Asmussen), Hinton (Tommy Drury, Jr.) and Sorry Erik (Keith Desmoreaux).

Entries for the Ohio Derby will be drawn Wednesday. First post Saturday is 1:40 p.m.

Source: JACK Thistledown Racino