Kentucky Derby trail: Gargan is using patience with Dornoch
Boynton Beach, Fla.
Only five years ago, Danny Gargan described himself as an “aggressive” trainer. He was so intent on making an imprint on the industry that he pushed his horses as hard as he drove himself, putting them through strong gallops and stiff workouts.
Recent seasons taught him to take a more deliberate approach, to give his horses the time they need to develop physically and mature mentally. The Louisville native learned that racing success does not necessarily go to those who press the pedal to the metal.
His handling of top Kentucky Derby contender Dornoch reflects his new philosophy. He gave the full brother to Mage, last year’s Derby winner, a good deal of time off after the bay son of Good Magic, out of the Big Brown mare Puca, scored a very impressive victory by a nose against Sierra Leone in the Grade 2 Remsen Stakes on Dec. 2 at Aqueduct.
Dornoch will make his long-awaited 3-year-old debut in the $400,000 Fountain of Youth Stakes (G2) on Saturday at Gulfstream Park. Although he ranks among the prime contenders for the 1 1/16-mile contest, Gargan emphasized that he did not prepare the colt for a peak effort.
“I don’t think we’ve seen the best of him yet. I don’t think we have him where you will see the best of him in the Fountain of Youth,” the trainer said. “I think you will see a solid performance like he does, but I’m thinking maybe the next race will be a lot stronger.”
Dornoch is owned by West Paces Racing, R.A. Hill Stable, Belmar Racing and Breeding, former major league outfielder Jayson Werth’s Two Eight Racing and Pine Racing Stables. He ranks 22nd on the Kentucky Derby leaderboard with 10 qualifying points and $177,500 in non-restricted earnings. The Fountain of Youth offers points to the top five finishers on a 50-25-15-10-5 basis.
Gargan grew up within walking distance of Churchill Downs. He constantly reminds himself of the extended period that exists ahead of the May 4 Derby. He constantly reins himself in.
“The big thing right now is not to get too aggressive and overdo it. We’re just hoping we can keep it level,” he said. “Horses don’t have to win the Fountain of Youth. Mage ran fourth in it, and he won the Derby.”
Gargan thinks the mini-vacation that followed the Remsen allowed Dornoch to grow into his frame. “He was always a tall horse,” he said, “but now he’s thicker.”
Dornoch was given a solid foundation as a juvenile. He placed second in his July 29 debut, going 6 1/2 furlongs at Saratoga. He endured a tough trip when he again came up second best, a length behind multiple stakes-winner Noted, in the Aug. 26 Sapling Stakes at one mile at Monmouth Park.
The youngster overcame adversity in each of his next two starts with jockey Luis Saez climbing aboard. According to Gargan, Dornoch grabbed a quarter when he broke his maiden by 6 1/2 lengths going 1 1/16 miles on Oct. 14 at Keeneland. Adding to the impressiveness of the margin was that the youngster never changed leads.
The 1 1/8-mile Remsen opened more eyes because Dornoch skimmed the rail but rebounded and showed extreme courage and determination during a fierce duel with Sierra Leone. That rival made a triumphant 3-year-old debut in the Feb. 17 Risen Star (G2) at Fair Grounds.
Exercise rider Priscilla Schaefer, 27, is confident fans will see a much more mature Dornoch. “Personality-wise, he’s grown up a lot. He was very green, very playful when he was a 2-year-old. He just wanted to play around,” she said. “When you got him going, he would focus and get into it.”
She no longer has to coax him to get serious. “As soon as we get on the track, he puts his head down and he knows. He knows it’s time to work,” she said. “He knows it’s business.”
Dornoch has worked five times at Palm Meadows Training Center ahead of the Fountain of Youth, where he will break from post 5 for Saez. In his most recent move, he used his massive stride to cover four furlongs in 47.90 seconds on Feb. 24, ranking seventh of 90.
Gargan, who sent out his first winner in 2013, is looking for his second Derby starter. Tax, an astute claim as a juvenile, finished 14th in 2019. Gargan said the March 30 Florida Derby (G1) and the April 6 Blue Grass (G1) at Keeneland are under consideration for Dornoch’s second prep race. The Blue Grass has been discussed for some time, but Gargan wants to leave his options open.
“Just stay in your lane and keep your horse healthy and happy because if you’re there on the first Saturday in May with a healthy, happy horse and a field of 20, it comes down to who gets the trip and who’s good that day,” Gargan said, confident in his horse’s tactical speed.