In most years, the winners of the 100-point Kentucky Derby prep races are horses who’re merely solidifying their locations on the high of their division.
That is one thing now we have seen in many of the 100 level prep races this 12 months. Forte, who gained the Grade I Florida Derby, was final 12 months’s two-year-old champion. Derma Sotogake had gained the Japan Highway to the Kentucky Derby within the months earlier than his Grade II UAE Derby efficiency. Sensible Transfer was extensively thought-about one of the best Derby hope of the West Coast even earlier than he gained the Grade I Santa Anita Derby.
Angel of Empire preceded his Grade I Arkansas Derby win with a win within the Grade II Risen Star Stakes, Tapit Trice had gained the Grade II Tampa Bay Derby previous to the Grade I Blue Grass Stakes, Two Phil’s took the Grade III Avenue Sense Stakes earlier than his glowing victory within the Grade III Jeff Ruby Steaks, and though Kingsbarns had by no means gained a stakes race earlier than his Grade II Louisiana Derby win, he was undefeated and extremely regarded for his expertise.
However what Concerning the Grade I Wooden Memorial?
Supply: pastthewire.com
There have been a number of horses who had good reputations main as much as the race. Brad Cox’s pair, Hit Present and Slip Mahoney had gained the Grade III Withers Stakes and positioned within the Grade III Gotham Stakes, respectively, and have been arguably the leaders of the New York circuit of three-year-olds. Neither of them, nevertheless, gained the Wooden.
As an alternative, the race was taken by Lord Miles, a colt whose greatest stakes efficiency to that time had been a 3rd within the listed Mucho Macho Man Stakes.
In accordance with TwinSpires betting information, this underdog may need the makings of a Kentucky Derby winner. So, must you place your bets on him?
Breeding
Evaluation of Lord Miles’s pedigree exhibits that the space and floor of the Kentucky Derby ought to be to his liking.
Lord Miles is a son of Curlin. Curlin was a two-time Horse of the Yr whose racing profession highlights included the Dubai World Cup, the Jockey Membership Gold Cup, and the Breeders’ Cup Traditional, all at ten furlongs (1 ¼ miles, the space of the Kentucky Derby). He additionally gained the Preakness and positioned in each the Kentucky Derby and the Belmont Stakes. Clearly, Curlin had stamina.
He has additionally proven the flexibility to cross that stamina on to his get. Curlin has sired many graded stakes winners who gained at 1 ¼ miles or longer, together with grade I winners Vino Rosso, Eager Ice, and Palace Malice.
Lord Miles’s dam, Woman Esme, was unraced. She is the daughter of Grade I Hopeful Stakes winner Majestic Warrior. Majestic Warrior has confirmed to be a flexible if unspectacular sire; he sired top-level turf sprinter Leinster, however he additionally sired Lone Rock, who gained the Grade II Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance at 1 ⅝ miles (one of many few graded stakes at that distance on filth) and continues to be lively on the racetrack at age eight this 12 months.
Efficiency
Supply: racingdudes.com
Lord Miles has solely two profession wins.
The primary win got here in his very first race, which came about on November nineteenth of final 12 months at Gulfstream Park. The win was a powerful one- he was bumped in mid-race and went extensive on the flip, however was nonetheless in a position to win by practically six lengths.
The following begin for Lord Miles was within the listed Mucho Macho Man Stakes over a mile at Gulfstream. He confirmed a number of promise, charging late to complete third behind Legacy Isle and Dreaming of Kona.
Sadly, Lord Miles’s subsequent two begins, the Grade III Holy Bull Stakes and the Grade II Tampa Bay Derby, resulted in off-the-board finishes to extra achieved horses. Legacy Isle and Dreaming of Kona’s additional stakes performances additionally didn’t flatter Lord Miles; Dreaming of Kona completed off the board in Grade III Sam F. Davis Stakes and the Tampa Bay Derby, whereas Legacy Isle was off the board within the Holy Bull in addition to the Grade II Fountain of Youth Stakes.
Within the Wooden, Lord Miles confirmed the identical grit that he did in his maiden, surviving bumping and going extensive across the turns. He additionally confirmed grit, dueling with Hit Present and Dreamlike for the size of the stretch and placing his nostril in entrance.
Whereas Lord Miles has expertise, nevertheless, he has confirmed to be inconsistent. The pace figures that Lord Miles earned for the Wooden additionally indicated that the race was not fairly as much as the extent of different ultimate Derby prep races; Lord Miles earned a Beyer Velocity Determine of 93, whereas the one horses on the Derby leaderboard to earn decrease figures of their ultimate prep have been Disarm, Elevate Cain, Rocket Can, and Wild On Ice, none of whom are extremely regarded going into the Kentucky Derby.
Bear in mind, although, that something can occur within the Kentucky Derby, as Wealthy Strike proved final 12 months, and Lord Miles has it in his favor that he can overcome a troubled journey!
Originally posted 2023-04-25 08:39:09.