The entry of D. Wayne Lukas in the Virginia Derby of March 15 provided a career as the best to end 7 3/4 lengths Make judgment and 8 1/2 lengths before Virginia-breeded Omaha Omaha Place a track record for 1 1/8 miles on the dirt on the dirt Colonial downs.
Jockey Nik Juarez brought BC stables' American promise Triumphant about the finish line in 1: 46.41 on the finish line to claim the share of the winner on the 527,500 dollar price and 50 qualification points for the Kentucky Derby (G1).
“It worked perfectly,” said Bas Nicholl, deputy coach of Lukas, who made the journey with American promise. “I think it was a perfect ride with the jockey. He brought it to a perfect stalking position and then performed perfectly.”
Before a record amount, American Promise pressed the 4-5 favorite from the barn by Bob Baffert-Escape car – Then she stepped into the curve and kept running down the route and pulled away from the field impressively.
“I didn't want to utilize my horse early, but I knew that I had to drive the position with playing the route,” said Juarez. “I'm just a guy who is lucky to be called to ride the horses of Mr. Lukas. It is a dream of going to the derby. The American promise is so good. He has proven itself out there today.”
Register Bloodhorse Daily
Driver Nik Juarez and American promise after winning the Virginia Derby at Colonial Downs
This was the first time that the Virginia Derby served as a qualification for the Kentucky Derby, and the day had an additional pomp. The announcer Travis Stone from Churchill Downs – the voice of the Kentucky Derby – was on the microphone, and Glenn Youngkin, governor of Virginia, presented the trophy in the circle of the winner.
It also released some of the biggest names of the sport. The judgment, which was conditioned by the Kentucky Derby winner of the Kentucky Derby winner Ken McPenek, was driven by Jockey Sheldon Russell after Brian Hernandez Jr. last year, according to McPeek Social Media Posting last year before the race.
“I loved the outpost because I saw in his repetitions that he could slowly escape a few steps, so he brought me to a good striker square with a few nudges early,” said Russell. “I could have kept him far, but I decided to give a tip and follow the GetaWay car. At half the mile I had the feeling that I would go better than he would go, so I went out and hoped that my horse could do this run, but I just couldn't go down (American promise).”
With 29 points, the judgment was converted into the dispute over a place in the Kentucky Derby. He is currently in 14th place when he tries to secure a place in the 20-hp field.
Omaha Omaha, the local fan favorite, born on chance farm in Gordonville, Virginia, also became good to take third place.
“I thought (Omaha omaha) was excellent,” said coach Mike Gorham. “He closed a lot of ground. He still came in the end. It was beaten by some good horses. They ran quickly. They made a track record.”
The Getaway car was fourth and deserved 10 points to give it a total of 46, and put it on the way to the Kentucky Derby value, if his connections decided to continue.
“I broke myself well and didn't want to give up the lead,” said Jockey's location Jr. of the Getaway Car, “I said (American promise), but he came back and pressed me all the way. Then he galloped. That was a great performance of (American promise).”
The winner paid $ 16.80 for a profit bet of $ 2. The American promise is the fourth father, father Justify Who won the Triple Crown 2018 and retired undefeated in six starts. Justify is at Ashford Stud near Versailles, Ky., For a fee of USD 250,000 of 2025.
American Promise was bred by Candy Meadows in Kentucky, who bought him for the Keeland September sales of 2023, where BC Stables bought him for 750,000 US dollars. The American promise is the third foal from profit Carpet Mare Tapella, who also produced the winner of class 2 Hoosier Philly from In mischief .
Sam F. Davis Stakes winner John Hancock The Hall of Famer and Triple Crown winner from Justify, Mike Smith, was to be ridden by the Virginia Derby for entering the 1 million dollar Louisiana Derby on March 22nd in Virginia Derby Fair Grounds Race Course and Slots.
