Kentucky Derby Horse Profile: Enforceable
By Ed McNamara
A deep closer, Lecomte (G3) winner Enforceable made a big run to be second despite serious traffic problems in a division of the Risen Star (G2) at the Fair Grounds in New Orleans in February.
That move raised hopes that haven’t come close to being realized. Since then, he was fifth (Grade 2 Louisiana Derby) and fourth (Grade 2 Blue Grass), beaten 14 1/4 lengths.
More negatives: Weak speed figures, two slow starts, 1-for-6 in stakes, 0-for-3 at Churchill.
His best-case scenario: Capitalize on a very fast pace and plod up for third or fourth.
On Saturday, Enforceable worked 4 furlongs in 49.60 seconds at Churchill Downs in his final Derby breeze under jockey Adam Beschizza. It was his sixth workout since the Blue Grass on July 11.
Trainer Mark Casse feels like Enforceable is capable of a big day.
“I think he is really improving at this stage of his career,” Casse said after the workout. “He’s maturing; he’s ready to go. I thought he looked super … “If you said to me three months ago you could have him where he is today and you’d be in the position you’re in, I would have taken it. I just think he’s at the top of his game right now. That’s all you can ask for.”
Profiles will be updated with morning-line odds and post position after the field is drawn on Tuesday, Sept. 1.
Odds: TBD
Post position: TBD
Enforceable – Courtesy of Churchill Downs/Coady Photography.
Jockey: Adam Beschizza
Trainer: Mark Casse
Owner: John Oxley
Career record: 10-2-2-2
Career earnings: $397,150
Top Equibase speed figure: 97
Kentucky Derby points: 43 (11th)
Pedigree: Tapit-Justwhistledixie, by Dixie Union
Color: Gray/roan
Running style: Deep closer
Notes: Casse was recently elected to racing’s Hall of Fame, timely since in 2019 he won his first two Triple Crown races – the Preakness (G1) with War of Will and the Belmont Stakes (G1) with Sir Winston … This will be Casse’s seventh Derby and eighth starter – his best result was a fourth with Classic Empire in 2017 … He’s an 11-time winner of the Sovereign Award as Canada’s top trainer … Since 2015, he’s been ranked among the top 6 trainers in purse earnings … Among his other top horses: Tepin, World Approval, Wonder Gadot, and Got Stormy … Adam Beschizza makes his Derby debut … From England, he made his first U.S. start in 2015; returned in 2017 to become a regular at the Fair Grounds, and now rides in Kentucky … John Oxley is looking for his second Derby winner – he owned 2001 winner Monarchos. This will be his eighth Derby starter.
(US Racing’s Kentucky Derby coverage will include profiles of the horses listed as probable for the race on Saturday, Sept. 5. Each day until the post-position draw on Tuesday, Sept. 1, US Racing will publish selected profiles of the contenders.)
Ed McNamara is an award-winning journalist who has been writing about thoroughbred racing for 35 years. He has handicapped races for ESPN.com, Newsday and The Record of New Jersey. He is the author of “Cajun Racing: From the Bush Tracks to the Triple Crown” and co-author of “The Most Glorious Crown,” a chronicle of the first 12 Triple Crown champions.