With a handful of preps and several workouts left before the first Saturday in may, any picks at this point should be done strictly for editorial purposes with the ability to pivot on the day as the picture becomes more clear. The horse is gelded which would be awesome because it means we could see a Derby winner runner beyond his three or four year old season. I never dreamed he'd lose," Asmussen said. His horses have failed to achieve the same success on other circuits. Breeder: Westwind Farms, Sold to Winchell Thoroughbreds In the weeks leading up to the Kentucky Derby, players would be wise to follow the narrative on this runner to decide if hes continuing the progression. After a mediocre fourth place finish in the Del Mar Futurity last summer, trainer Mark Casse did not give up on Pappacap and entered him in a two-turn race for the first time in the American Pharoah Stakes. The problem is that the race didnt come up that fast and trainer Saffie Joseph Jr. is a beast at Gulfstream Park. Epicenter then began his move on the outside, taking the lead at the quarter-pole. He continued to draw away and won easily by 2+12 lengths over Zozos. We're not smart enough to give up.". Proprietary to and 2023 Equibase Company LLC. The field of four were all stakes winners, with Epicenter going off as the even-money favorite. Early Voting (102) Epicenter (100) Creative Minister (98) Epicenter (100) Creative Minister (98) 1:54.54: 5/7/22: 4th (98) CD 1 1/4M: Dirt-Fast: 2022 Kentucky . "We walked over today with a tremendous amount of confidence in the horse," said Asmussen, "but definitely remember we felt exactly that way walking over for this year's Derby. I thought the trip might have settled him down a little bit," he added. The problem with me for this runner is that despite quick fractions the horse didnt have a ton of pace pressure throughout. The Preakness is the only American Classic that has eluded Rosario, as the leading jockey has finished runner-up in the second jewel three times. This one just barely cracked the top 3 of the Louisiana Derby. Trainer: Alexandra Hillegass Winchell Thoroughbreds'Epicenter, the 6-5 morning-line favorite for the May 21Preakness Stakes (G1), jogged a mile around Pimlico Race Course early May 18, his first morning in town after vanning from Louisville. The Curlin colt is coming off an 11th-place finish in the April 9 Toyota Blue Grass Stakes (G1) at Keeneland for Villa Rosa Farm and Harlo Stable. [20] Epicenter was again the even-money favorite. Photo: Anika MiskarCreative Minister gallops atPimlico. She is talented and will be a deserving favorite in the Oaks, but not good enough to win the Derby. Historically these types of horses have a high probability to win. What a story. Epicenter, perhaps his best chance to win his first Kentucky Derby, led from gate to wire in a dominant, 2 3/4-length triumph in the Grade 2, $400,000Risen Star Stakes. He's won pretty much every other race. "He traveled well. The list does not take into account whether or not the horses have been declared off the Derby trail. Owner: Guyana Rocky LLC He was away cleanly and thought he was very comfortable and attending close enough to the pace, and just ran a very dominating performance against a very good group. Regulated in AZ, CO, CT, IL, IN, IA, LA, MI, NJ, NY, ON, PA, TN, VA, WA, WY, If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, crisis counseling, and referral services can be accessed by calling 1-800 GAMBLER (1-800-426-2537) (USA), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN only), 1-800-NEXT-STEP (AZ only), 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA only) or 1-800-522-4700 (CO Only), Top Speed Figure: 97 Equibase Speed Figure, Top Speed Figure: 102 Equibase Speed Figure, Top Speed Figure: 109 Equibase Speed Figure, Top Speed Figure: 100 Equibase Speed Figure, Top Speed Figure: 99 Equibase Speed Figure, Top Speed Figure: 104 Equibase Speed Figure, Top Speed Figure: 96 Equibase Speed Figure, Top Speed Figure: 91 Equibase Speed Figure, Top Speed Figure: 106 Equibase Speed Figure, Top Speed Figure: 94 Equibase Speed Figure, Top Speed Figure: 103 Equibase Speed Figure, Top Speed Figure: 90 Equibase Speed Figure, Top Speed Figure: 93 Equibase Speed Figure. As has been the Midnight Lute colt's custom in recent starts, he lagged behind early Saturdayracing eighth of as Gun Runner Stakes winner Epicenter shot to the lead in the 1 1/16-mile race with. Given that these horses are currently outside the top 2o they are unlikely to make the gate unless they score more points. He started jumping and feeling good, so I said to the groom, 'Let's put the saddle on him and take him to the track. Both of those horses, eventual two-time Horse of the Year Curlin and 2017 Horse of the Year Gun Runner, would finish third in the Kentucky Derby. Here is stable of my top 5 Derby contenders heading into the last month of prep races. Epicenter (7-5) Jockey: Joel Rosario Trainer: Steve Asmussen Owner: Winchell Thoroughbreds Career record: 5 starts - 3 wins - 1 second - 0 thirds Career earnings: $410,639 Earnings per start: $82,128 Top Equibase Speed Figure: 97 Kentucky Derby points: 64 Pedigree: Not This Time - Silent Candy, by Candy Ride Color: Bay Making his second start off the layoff, second over the Fair Grounds surface and second at this distance, Trafalgar draws one position inside Epicenter in the gate, and if in the final yards these two colts are neck-and-neck, Trafalgar may have the mental talent to post the mild upset and win. He's come here a bunch of other times. He's been very consistent in his training, very workmanlike, shows up and does his job. This one is a Derby pass for me. Hall of Famer Steve Asmussen had it happen Saturday at Fair Grounds. It will take something special for the son of Runhappy to turn the tables on Epicenter who he faced in his last race at Fair Grounds. Some horses may pass on the Derby which could then draw in horses from further down the list. Just trying to get settled in and get our schooling done and run Saturday.". Asmussen would love to help make Verne Winchell's prediction come true Saturday evening at Churchill but he's also appreciative of what he's accomplished as well as his racing family. #Epicenter dominates the Risen Star Stakes on the Road to the #KyDerby for Joel Rosario, Steve Asmussen, and Winchell Thoroughbreds. Klaravich Stables' Early Voting, the 7-2 choice on the Preakness morning line, made his first visit to the track at Pimlico Wednesday morning, a day after shipping in from trainer Chad Brown's stable at Belmont Park. Included in the travel party was Sabas Rivera, a barn foreman for trainer Doug O'Neill. But I think getting the wins (record) has made me reflect and look back and just realize how blessed I am; and to have my family involved in it. Epicenter was bred in Kentucky by Westwind Farms. It was the best performance of his five-race career. Horse: Gens: Highlight: X-Factor: Chef List: Reports: Maintenance: Subscriptions: Help: Message Board: Horse: epicenter : EPICENTER (CHI) G, 2007 {5-j} DP = 6-5-7-0-2 (20) DI = 2.64 CD = 0.65 : SIR CAT (USA) dkb/br. Epicenter's owner, Ron Winchell, who has sent Asmussen a number of top runners, including Gun Runner (co-owned with Three Chimneys),has seen first hand Asmussen's determination to win the Derby. We were proud of our horse and how he ran. Trainer: Michael Merryman "This year's Oaks and Derby are extremely exciting in terms of how strong the races look and how well all of the horses are doing going into them. *All statistics on this page include results from all countries. Jos Ortiz had him picking off rivals going five wide in the second turn, but he flattened late and was caught by Smile Happy. "We were able to drop him down in competition and just get him set up with a field that would be sort of a confidence booster for him," Yakteen said. Trainer Steve Asmussen has entered champion Echo Zulu in the Kentucky Oaks and will look for his first Kentucky Derby win with Epicenter at Churchill Downs. He also finished second as the favorite in both the 2022 Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes. (I will reference Equibase's Speed Figure and BRIS and Beyer speed figures, which tells you how fast a horse has been running in each of its races -- adjusted for track, distances, and conditions. The 2022 Preakness Stakes is Sat., May 21, and nine top 3-year-olds will run in the second jewel of the Triple Crown at Pimlico Race Course. University of Louisville Equine Industry Program - Get a Career in Horse Racing! Compared with Asmussen's previous Derby horses that went on to earn Horse of the Year honors, Epicenter's preparation is closer to Gun Runner's than Curlin's. Third in the UAE Derby this one is the least enticing as he closed into a fast pace and still could get into the exacta. This horse was included in that mix. All Rights Reserved. Clunked in the Arkansas Derby after an upset in the Rebel. He settled in fourth-place behind Cyberknife, who set moderate fractions for the first three-quarters of a mile. Epicenter. "It's a big hole; he wants to fill it," Winchell said. Blue Kentucky finished third in the Sugar Bowl Stakes near the end of December and he too is trying two turns for the first time. Epicenter , healing from a broken bone he suffered Presumptive horse of the year winner Flightline wa Editors note: This is one in a series of annual e We made it. He held second in the Louisiana Derby, 2 1/2 lengths behind victorious Epicenter after setting . In fact, since first sending out ninth-place Fifty Stars for the 2001 Derby, the Racing Hall of Famer has moved into consideration for the "best trainer to not yet win the Derby" category behind his 23 starts without a victory in the Churchill Downs classic. Win contenders, in preference/probability order: This one ran second in the Jeff Ruby behind a turf horse. Photo: Rick SamuelsEpicenter gallops at Churchill Downs. The only win to date is a maiden claiming victory. This means he will now have the chance to get to the Derby by winning the Santa Anita Derby. It is still far too early to lock into a Kentucky Derby pick. "He galloped a mile and a quarter. Race 14 at Fair Grounds "He likes it here, so he's in good shape. Keeneland This runner won the Sunland Derby and did beat Messier last year, but I just dont trust this one. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. Horses from Japan have proven that they deserve to be in on the conversation. Further good news was that Le Crete's condylar fracture, which will require surgery, is not expected to end her racing . American Champion Three-Year-Old Male Horse, "Not This Time well represented in Saratoga's Travers", "Epicenter Makes Championship Claim With Travers Victory The Not This Time colt picked up an elusive grade 1 victory Aug. 27 at Saratoga", "Steve Asmussen To Saddle Morning-Line Favorite Epicenter In Inaugural Gun Runner Stakes Horse Racing News | Paulick Report", "Chart for September 18, 2021 at Churchill Downs", "Chart for November 13, 2021 at Churchill Downs", "Epicenter, North County shine at Fair Grounds", "Epicenter posts frontrunning Risen Star win", "Epicenter shows new dimension in Louisiana Derby", "Epicenter clings to top spot over Zandon in Derby dozen", "Rich Strike stuns with 80-1 Kentucky Derby Upset", "Runhappy Travers Tops Super Saturday at the Spa", "Epicenter Gives Asmussen, Rosario an Emphatic First Travers Victory", "Epicenter was pulled up by jockey Joel Rosario after sustaining an injury to his right forelimb in the Breeders' Cup Classic and was attended to immediately by an expert team of veterinarians led by KHRC Chief Veterinarian Dr. Nick Smith", "Breeders' Cup Classic: Flightline turns in anoher astonishing performance", "Breeders' Cup: Epicenter has surgery, retired from racing", "2022 Longines Breeders' Cup Classic Grade 1 (race 11)", "Grade 1 Winner Epicenter to Stand at Ashford Stud; The son of Not This Time will stand in 2023 at an introductory rate of $45,000", "Thoroughbred Bloodlines Wagtail (GB) Family 21-a", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Epicenter_(horse)&oldid=1138546821, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, This page was last edited on 10 February 2023, at 07:36. 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