Prospect Watch: Don Bourbon seeks a breakthrough at Oaklawn
It’s going to be a busy week on the 2020 Kentucky Derby trail. Three major prep races are scheduled for Saturday, attracting graded winners such as Authentic, Thousand Words, Storm the Court, Mischevious Alex and Sole Volante.
We also have a half dozen up-and-coming names to keep an eye on in maiden special weight ranks this Saturday. Leading the charge is Ian Wilkes-trained Don Bourbon, who has already knocked heads with a few prominent Triple Crown hopefuls. Perhaps it’s not too late for a non-winner thus far to step up and factor in the spring classics
So let’s dig in and review some of the most promising prospects to watch this week:
Aqueduct Race 1: Maiden Special Weight (1 mile, 1:30 p.m. ET)
Cousin Andrew was hardly disgraced in his debut sprinting six furlongs at Aqueduct, rallying down the stretch to finish 1 3/4 lengths behind Gotham Stakes (G3) entrant Sixto. There was a gap of 2 1/4 lengths back to third-place finisher Mr. Phil, who returned to win his next start. A son of hot stallion Into Mischief, Cousin Andrew should relish the chance to stretch out over a mile for trainer Chad Brown, who strikes at a 32% rate with horses running long for the first time. Expect this $270,000 yearling purchase to vie for victory with jockey Dylan Davis in the saddle.
#2 Continuation
As a son of talented sprinter Munnings, Continuation has the pedigree of a sprinter/miler more than a classic runner. But the chestnut colt has shown plenty of talent for trainer Dane Kobiskie, finishing second in two previous races over this track and distance. In his debut on Jan. 11, Continuation was beaten four lengths by War Stopper, but he got a lot closer on Feb. 8, coming within a neck of victory against the stakes-placed Informative. Considering War Stopper and Informative are both entered in the Gotham, it’s safe to say Continuation has been keeping good company. Perhaps the third time will be the charm.
Gulfstream Park Race 1: Maiden Special Weight (1 1/8 miles, 12:00 p.m. ET)
#6 Juulstone
We featured Juulstone prior to his debut at Belmont last September, when the son of American Pharoah finished sixth in a six-furlong sprint on dirt. At the time, there was the opinion that Juulstone would prove best on grass, and after two more unsuccessful runs against good company on dirt, Juulstone gave the lawn a try on Jan. 18 and came charging from behind a slow pace to finish second. He’ll stretch out another furlong in distance on Saturday, and if he can show a bit more tactical speed, he’ll be tough to deny for trainer Shug McGaughey. Keep in mind, Juulstone’s dam, Hessonite, was a nine-time stakes winner who thrived on turf.
Gulfstream Park Race 8: Maiden Special Weight (1 1/16 miles, 3:38 p.m. ET)
#6 Don Bourbon
Don Bourbon has been a work in progress for the Wilkes barn. A stoutly bred son of Tiznow out of the graded stakes-winning Mineshaft mare Juanita, Don Bourbon has been defeated in his first five starts. But the $210,000 auction purchase, who's Triple Crown-nominated, has also showed steady improvement, increasing his Brisnet Speed Ratings with every start. He threw down a 92 when finishing second behind Tampa Bay Derby (G2) entrant Texas Swing on Feb. 8, and a repeat of this effort should be enough to land Don Bourbon in the winner’s circle. Keep in mind, Smarty Jones Stakes winner Gold Street and fast maiden winner Spa City are some of the other tough runners Don Bourbon has faced in his first five starts.
Oaklawn Park Race 4: Maiden Special Weight (6 furlongs, 3:38 p.m. ET)
#2 Fast Cash
Gary and Mary West have enjoyed a glorious run with Maximum Security, and it’s possible they could have another talented colt on their hands in Fast Cash. A son of Malibu Moon, best known as the sire of 2013 Kentucky Derby winner Orb, Fast Cash was produced by the Distorted Humor mare Hillaby, winner of the seven-furlong Bessarabian Stakes (G2) at Woodbine. This quality pedigree prompted Fast Cash to sell for $400,000 as a yearling, and judging from the lengthy string of five-furlong workouts he’s turned in at Oaklawn, Fast Cash could be sitting on a sharp debut for trainer Wayne Catalano.
#5 Underscore
Owned by Godolphin racing, this Canadian-bred colt hails from a classy family. Uncle Mo was a champion juvenile who has proven successful at stud, most notably siring 2016 Kentucky Derby winner Nyquist. Dam Unspurned is a daughter of Belmont Stakes winner Lemon Drop Kid and demonstrated her own class by winning the six-furlong Whimsical (G3) at Woodbine. Purchased for $400,000 as a yearling, Underscore has been training forwardly at Louisiana Downs and Oaklawn Park, most recently going a half-mile in :48 1/5 for high-percentage trainer Brad Cox. There’s plenty to like about Underscore in Saturday’s six-furlong sprint, and there will be even more to like once he stretches out in distance.