Updated profiles, with post positions and track odds for the 20 3-year-olds entered for the 151st running of the $5 million Kentucky Derby (G1) at Churchill Downs is Saturday (May 3).
Is Flying Mohawk ready to become the next Animal Kingdom?
It’s been 14 years since Animal Kingdom won the Kentucky Derby (G1) in his first race over a dirt track. In 2011, Animal Kingdom posted a 4-2-2-0 record on turf and all-weather tracks, not the most preferred road to the Kentucky Derby, but the chestnut colt delivered the victory under John Velazquez at 20-1 odds.
Flying Mohawk has taken a similar route to the Derby for trainer Whit Beckman. The dark bay colt is 6-2-2-0 on turf and all-weather tracks, most recently a runner-up finish in the Jeff Ruby Steaks (G3) at Turfway Park on March 22. Animal Kingdom won the same race, then known as the Spiral Stakes, prior to his Kentucky Derby victory.
“Anything can happen in the Derby," said Beckman. “This is a race longshots can win.”
Flying Mohawk earned 50 Kentucky Derby points and, after a few defections, moved into the field, which was limited to 20 starters. Joe Ramos has the mount in what will be his first Derby.
Flying Mohawk made a strong closing move to run second to Final Gambit in the 1 1/8-mile Jeff Ruby, indicating the 1 ¼-mile Kentucky Derby distance might be a good fit.
The move from turf to dirt for such a big race rarely ends in success. Romantic Warrior, considered the world’s No. 1 horse, was beaten by Forever Young in the Saudi Cup (G1) in February in his first race on the dirt, and European star City of Troy finished eighth in the Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) in November in his first race on dirt.
Nonetheless, why not run if your horse earned a spot in the field? Last year, Beckman’s first Derby starter, Honor Marie, finished eighth.
“This is not something that we go into hopelessly. I get that we're going to be the longest shot on the board, but the horse doesn't know that,’’ said Beckman, a former longtime assistant to Todd Pletcher.
Flying Mohawk broke his maiden at fourth asking over the Churchill Downs turf, then won an allowance on turf at Fair Grounds in January before the Jeff Ruby.
Flying Mohawk usually works over a dirt track and breezed 5 furlongs in 1:00, running inside stablemate Honor Marie at Churchill Downs on April 19.
With no dirt racing experience, this is a tough ask for Flying Mohawk, who will likely be one of the longest shots in the field. No bet.
The writing team at US Racing is comprised of both full-time and part-time contributors with expertise in various aspects of the Sport of Kings.
