He’s finished far behind far too many Kentucky Derby contenders to take Render Judgment as a serious threat.
Yes, trainer Kenny McPeek won last year’s Derby with Mystik Dan, but this guy is a maiden winner with a five-race losing streak, most recently fifth behind Derby entries Burnham Square and East Avenue.
After Tappan Street was injured after a workout Saturday morning, Render Judgment moved up into the Top 20 on the Kentucky Derby leaderboard, giving McPeek a shot at consecutive Derby wins last accomplished by Bob Baffert in 1997 (Silver Charm) and 1998 (Real Quiet).
Julien Leparoux will be aboard for the first time. McPeek’s regular rider, Brian Hernandez, Jr., will ride Blue Grass Stakes (G1) winner Burnham Square in the Derby.
The bay colt won at second asking at Churchill Downs going 1 1/16 miles last October, then ran fifth in the Kentucky Jockey Club (G2), third in the Gun Runner Stakes, eighth in the Risen Star (G2), second in the Virginia Derby, and was four lengths back in fifth in the Blue Grass.
By finishing in the top five in four of five Derby preps, Render Judgment managed to limit the field to 20 thanks to the defections of a few other 3-year-olds with more points.
A maiden winning, last-minute entry taking the Derby is possible since we’re dealing with Kenny McPeek, but not this time. Owners are just happy to be in the race. No bet.
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