Last seen at the races, 43-1 longshot Magnitude was rolling to a 9 ¾-length victory in the Risen Star Stakes (G3) at the Fair Grounds to become a rising contender for the Kentucky Derby (G1).
That was back in February. A few weeks later, a left front ankle chip was discovered, successful surgery was performed, and now Magnitude is ready to resume his career in the $275,000 Iowa Derby at Prairie Meadows on Saturday.
Since his return to training, Magnitude has been working steadily at Churchill Downs, with seven timed works from May 15-June 29.
His healing went well, his rehab went well, and he hasn’t missed a beat, according to David Fiske, racing manager for owners Winchell Thoroughbreds. “Hopefully, this race will set him up for some later bigger races,’’ Fiske said in comments to paulickreport.com.
Magnitude is the 9-5 favorite in a field of seven 3-year-olds going 1 1/16 miles. The field likely will be reduced to six with Big Truzz cross-entered but set to go in the Indiana Derby (G3).
Jockey Ben Curtis, who was aboard for the Risen Star, will ride again for trainer Steve Asmussen.
For those who bet horse racing, the handicapping goal is to uncover a worthy challenger. Authentic Gallop at 10-1 could be that colt. Trained by Tom Amoss, this son of 2020 Kentucky Derby winner Authentic, gets the services of Brian Hernandez, Jr.
He’s got a maiden win and an allowance win, both at Oaklawn Park, but was off-the-board in the Virginia Derby and the Sir Barton Stakes in his last two races. Authentic Gallop has worked six times on the turf at Churchill Downs but returns to dirt for the Iowa Derby. At 10-1, he’s worth a look.
The best of the local entries appears to be Mickswagger, winner of the Prairie Mile.
Post time for the Iowa Derby is 7:38 p.m. ET.
Also on the card is the Iowa Oaks (8:34 p.m. post) with Quickick – trained by Amoss with Hernandez aboard -- the 7-2 favorite in a field of 10 3-year-old fillies, and the Cornhusker Handicap (G3) -- 8:06 p.m. post -- with Dragoon Guard the 7-5 favorite in a field of seven that includes Gould’s Gold (9-2) and last year’s winner Red Route One (6-1).
1 Authentic Gallop (Brian Hernandez, Jr., Tom Amoss), 10-1
2 Big Truzz (Declan Cannon, Brian Lynch), 5-2
3 Itsmybirthday (Francisco Arrieta, Robertino Diodoro), 9-2
4 Magnitude (Ben Curtis, Steve Asmussen), 9-5
5 Mickswagger (Elvin Gonzalez, Bart Hone), 8-1
6 Maverama (Alberto Pusac, Todd Jordan), 12-1
7 Mister Omaha (Luis Quinonez, Joe Offolter), 6-1
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.
