Winslow Homer Joins Derby Chase
Fox Hill Farms’ Winslow Homer made an auspicious stakes debut Saturday at Gulfstream Park as he pulled away from Robert LaPenta’s 8-to-5 favorite Jackson Bend in the deep stretch to score a three-quarter length victory in the $150,000 Holy Bull Stakes (G3) as both talented 3-year-olds set off on a path their connections hope will lead to the Kentucky Derby (G1) at Churchill Downs on May 1.
Jockey Ramon Dominguez had Winslow Homer stalking the leaders behind a sharp pace down the backstretch of the one-turn mile test in a talent-packed field of nine. He split horses in the upper stretch on the way to victory in 1:35:97 as the co-second choice for his third straight victory after a third-pace debut in late July at Delaware Park.
Trained by Anthony Dutrow, Winslow Homer is a roan/gray colt by Unbridled’s Song, was purchased for $310,000 at the Keeneland September yearling sales and was making his first start since winning an allowance race at Philadelphia Park on Nov. 20 by 12 ½ lengths. He will now be pointed for the $250,000 Fasig-Tipton Fountain of Youth Stakes (G2) to be run at 1 1/8 miles on Feb. 20.
Ken and Sarah Ramsey’s William’s Kitten rallied for third, 3 ¼ lengths behind Jackson Bend with Kramer Stables and William Rosenfeld’s Thank U Philippe another 1 ½ lengths back in fourth.
Anthony Dutrow (Winslow Homer) – “I came here today without any particular expectations, just hoping he would keep his place in line (on the Derby trail). Naturally, I have to be very pleased with the way he ran. Mr. (Rick) Porter and I decided we might be in business with a good horse after we watched him work one morning at Delaware Park in about late June and he hasn’t disappointed us yet. We’ll look ahead now to the Fountain of Youth (Feb. 20) if all goes well. He’s actually bred for two turns. The goal is the Kentucky Derby.”
Ramon Dominguez (jockey, Winslow Homer, 1st) – “There is always a little concern when you are up on the inside covered up, especially with a young horse like him, but I was hoping that somewhere along the line things would open up because I felt like I had a lot of horse. And when the hole barely opened up, he squeezed through horses, and did it very professionally. When he made the lead, he started to come back to me so I had to encourage him a little to keep going, but he’s a professional and he’s just improving tremendously with each race.”
Jeremy Rose (jockey, Jackson Bend, 2nd) – “My horse ran his race. I had him positioned right where I wanted him, but when the winner (Winslow Homer) split horses and made his move, he had a little more left. But my horse is a good horse. He ran well.”