With racing luck, Henley's Joy may outrun Belmont Derby odds

The connections of Henley’s Joy had intended on an in-the-money finish guaranteeing a spot in the Grade 1, $1 million Belmont Derby Invitational when the colt headed postward for last month’s Pennine Ridge Stakes (G3).

Then came a stretch run that sums up the colt’s season.

Under jockey John Velazquez, Henley’s Joy had some of his momentum scrubbed when brushing with eventual winner Demarchelier, then was caught tightly between horses with Social Paranoia to his inside. He finished fourth.

“He’s a horse that’s just had terrible luck,” said Jeff Bloom, whose Bloom Racing Stable campaigns Henley’s Joy. “We certainly feel he’s deserving of competing with those kinds of horses in those kind of races.”

The son of Kitten’s Joy found a way into Saturday’s 14-horse Belmont Derby nonetheless, receiving post position No. 6 with Jose Lezcano scheduled to ride in the featured race on Belmont Park’s Stars & Stripes card.

In his 10 starts, Henley’s Joy owns black type and listed stakes wins. But he has also been second in three other stakes by margins of a neck, a neck and a half length.

Bloom wouldn’t be surprised to see Henley’s Joy outrun some lofty odds in the Belmont Derby, earning the right to continue on in the new Turf Trinity for 3-year-olds on grass. The series concludes with the Aug. 4 Saratoga Derby and Sept. 7 Jockey Club Derby.

“That would be the ideal scenario,” Bloom said. “This horse has so much talent, and he’s shown it on the racetrack. But he’s also had so many mishaps in his races. I’d be so happy for this horse to get a clean trip and see where the chips fall.”

Henley’s Joy went for $50,000 as a 2-year-old in training and, despite some narrow defeats, has more than made up for the purchase price, earning clear of $400,000 on the racetrack. Connections have always thought highly of him, also trying the colt on the Kentucky Derby trail in the Feb. 16 Risen Star (G2) at Fair Grounds.

Henley’s Joy ran 10th. That time, less bad luck, and more not taking to the dirt.

“It didn’t pan out — no harm no foul,” Bloom said. “Then it was focusing on how we can get to this turf Triple Crown.”

Henley’s Joy has arrived with a trainer proficient in training his progeny, Mike Maker, and was bred by one of his top clients, Ken and Sarah Ramsey. Among Maker’s charges is the million-dollar earner Oscar Nominated, who similarly tried dirt as a 3-year-old and has developed into a consistent competitor on grass.

“It wasn’t just that he was a Kitten’s Joy, but it was a value add because Mike’s had so much success with the offspring,” Bloom said of Henley’s Joy.

“Hopefully in one of these big races he’ll find some racing luck and can showcase his talent.”