Kentucky Derby 2025: California Burrito is back in the mix

HRN staff
Photo: Turfway Park / Coady Media

California Burrito is back in the mix of hopefuls for Kentucky Derby 2025, according to a Churchill Downs media note.

Trained by Tom Drury Jr., the Army Mule colt is at no. 25 on the leaderboard with 20 points from his win in the John Battaglia Memorial at Turfway Park in February. He returned in the Grade 3 Jeff Ruby but finished seventh after faltering after taking an awkward step near the one-eighth pole.

California Burrito's first three starts were on dirt, and he broke his maiden at Churchill Downs then finished second in an optional-claiming allowance there. He then went to Turfway, where he was 2-for-4, including the Jeff Ruby loss.

He has been working at Churchill, breezing four furlongs in 47.0 seconds Sunday, the fastest of 55 at the distance.

This would be the first Kentucky Derby for Drury, a Louisville native who is perhaps best known for training Art Collector to a win in the 2020 Blue Grass (G2).

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