The second stage of the street to the Kentucky Derby Championship series, in which the top 5 finisher is placed on the top 5 finisher on a scale of 100-50-25-15-10 points, is one of the more unique experiences in the full blood race for owners. Often every viewer would think near the connections of the second -placed person that these people who jump around and celebrate had just won the race.
This was probably the case for everyone who stood near the connections of Fly Mohawk Berry Family Racing and Kaleta Racing were the teams behind two eight races scream and jump with joy Grass park'S Owner Suite March 22nd. The Caracontics Colt had just won second place in the Jeff Ruby Steaks (G3), but probably a place in Starttor Kentucky Derby (G1) Churchill Downs May 3rd.
“We behaved as if we had won the race,” said Jayson Werth from Two Eight Racing, a former all-star and World Series Champion of the Major League Baseball. “I'm joyful for my group. We go to the Kentucky Derby, that's wild.”
Jayson Werth am Del Mar for the 2024 Breederers' Cup
With the co -owner Jeff Berry and Shawn Kaleta, both of whom were recently connected thanks to Werth, were co -owners from Werth with Werth.
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Like Werth, Berry also has a background in baseball. During his time at the University of North Carolina in Charlotte, he was a catcher and spent some time in the Boston Red Sox Minor League system. Now Berry is an agent for baseball players and co-manager of the baseball department of the original artists Agency. Flying Mohawk is just the second horse on which the native of Owensboro Ky.
“I got into horse racing for Jayson,” said Berry. “My whole theory: Hitter hit. Jayson hit what he has for this sport, what we do – it is an incredible experience.”
Flying Mohawk is also one of the first two horses in which Kaleta was involved. Kaleta is a real estate and hotel developer on the island of Anna Maria in Florida south of Tampa and CEO by Prime Vacations.
With jockey Joseph Ramos on board, Flying Mohawk was mixed onto the back of the 12-horsepower Ruby Field after some start. From there, Ramos kept close to the reins for a few moments when they ran through the clubhouse and ran down the background.
Flying Mohawk started a rally in the distant rotation and began to pick up horses when he swung far into the track. Possibly winner Endgambit Kezt further outside, drift only in a touch and briefly prompted the flying Mohawk Maximum promise . The final gambit would withdraw to a 3 1/2 length triumph, but Mohawk remained the course and the maximum promise by half a long length for the derby clinching position.
“It is surreal. These horse races are crazy,” said Werth. “I played in some really huge games, but never got emotions. There were no nerves, no emotions, just the business. I had some great victories that we celebrated, demanding losses that really hurt, but all of this was filled in a two -minute race in bottles.
Fly Mohawk in the paddock for the Jeff Ruby Steaks, like Jayson Werth (second white hat from right)
“I think he could have won this race, he didn't have an uncomplicated trip,” said Berry. “It's like, you know what, I will bring this horse to the derby every weekday. If you have Jayson Werth on your side, it is what we do.”
At the cheering of the celebrations, it seemed almost secure that the flying Mohawk will take one of the 20 starting positions for the 1 1/4 miles trip on the first Saturday in May. However, there is still the question of the surface. With a family tree that supports a career on lawn and a lack of dirt races in his previous appearances, a conversation about the race in the 1 million US dollar American lawns (G1T) over 1 1/16 miles must be held on the derby day.
“I'm sure we'll think about it, but if you have 50 points, I don't know how you say no,” said Werth. “He is such a chilly horse. In trouble, nothing bothers him. He has been in difficulty and got up in second place. The derby will be similar. He will train greatly on dirt. We will speak with (trainer) Whit (Beckman) before we make real decisions.”
Read: Werth in the hope of Derby chance with flying Mohawk
Beckman himself, who originally slipped the idea of running in Jeff Ruby, was satisfied with the performance. The trainer was at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots Saturday morning to observe other stable stars Just joke And Honor Marie Breez before he flies for the Jeff Ruby and arrives about two hours before the race.
“Everyone is pretty excited, they drove a huge race,” said Beckman. “We didn't know how he would react (synthetic). In order to end the race, we are only excited.”
Beckman plans to send flying Mohawk and other members of his grass road to which the candidate belongs to Kentucky Oaks (G1) Drexel Hill To his barn in Churchill Downs after Turfways Castle Day 29 March.
“We will settle things a little and have some discussions about (the derby) because I think we have one of the best 3-year-olds,” said Beckman. “We will see if it is an emotional call, a rational call or whatever it is. I am there for the owners – that's what I do – and whatever you want to do, it's fine with me.”
