2023 Kentucky Derby | Ocala Connections

May 4, 2023

Kentucky Derby horses racing.
This weekend is the first Saturday of May, and if you’re a horse person, you know what that means: The annual Run for the Roses at Churchill Downs – more famously known as the Kentucky Derby. You may have heard of it. If you live in Ocala, you’d have to live underground not to know about the “Fastest Two Minutes in Sports”. Even people who don’t follow horse racing or even like horses will don boutonnieres, wide-brimmed hats, and head to Kentucky, with racing forms clutched in gloved hands and betting money burning holes in pockets.
It’s a big day for all equestrian lovers. For Ocala, where the equine industry is arguably the bedrock of our economic strength, infrastructure, and identity, it’s something like Mardi Gras and St. Paddy’s rolled into one. Invariably each year, there are several horses running in the Derby who have either been bred, raised, or trained in Ocala, so it’s a source of pride for us. Outside of Louisville or Wellington, the heightened anticipation and communal party atmosphere during Derby week is unmatched in its enthusiasm. Our big Derby blog last year explored some of the investment, economic and emotional impact the race has on our community, as well as the long and storied history of our connections to the Derby.
“Typically more than around half of the horses who compete in the Derby annually come were bred, raised, or trained here in Marion County. In recent years, as much as three-quarters of the field has passed through here,” Brock Sheridan, Editor-in-Chief of Florida Equine Communications told us last year. “There are a lot of horses on the Derby trail that started their training in Ocala, which is the premier training ground probably anywhere in the world.”
There’s an enormous emotional and professional investment in breeding, raising, and training these horses in the hope of one day competing in the Derby, and on the day financial payoff can be staggering; bets at the Derby alone have topped out at over $209 million, while online wagers generate up to $32 million. The horse who wins the top prize canters off with a purse of $3 million – the highest in the Triple Crown series – and is generally an odds-on favorite for the subsequent Preakness Stakes two weeks later – and then the Belmont Stakes in early June. This year there are thirteen noble steeds with Ocala roots who are contenders at Churchill Downs – same as there were in 2022 – so we’re well-represented. In fact, it would be unusual not to see an Ocala-bred or trained horse on the contender’s list; that’s how strong the blood is here. This year Forte, Practical Move (whose grandsire, Afleet Alex, was featured in our recent blog about Breyer Horse Connections), and Angel of Empire – all of whom received early training in Ocala – are respectively 1st, 2nd and 3rd on the Leaderboard ranks.
See Update Below For Most Recent Developments
Angel of Empire
Color Sex: Bay colt 

Kentucky Derby Qualifying Points: 154

Trainer: Brad H. Cox

Owner: Albaugh Family Stables LLC

Jockey: 

Breeder: Forgotten Land Investment Inc. & Black Diamond Equine Corp. (Kentucky)

Breeding: Classic Empire – Armony’s Angel, by To Honor and Serve

Auction History: 

  • 2021 Keeneland September Yearling Sale: Purchased by current owners for $70,000 from Warrendale Sales consignment.
  • 2020 Keeneland November Sale: $32,000 RNA

Last Race: 

  • Won Grade 1 Arkansas Derby at Oaklawn Park on April 1

Record: 6-4-1-0

Earnings: $1,069,375

Ocala/Marion County Connection:

  • Received early training at Barry Berkelhammer’s AbraCadabra Farm, Ocala
Forte
Color Sex: Dark bay or brown colt

Kentucky Derby Qualifying Points: 190

Trainer: Todd Pletcher (HOF)

Owner: Repole Racing (Mike Repole) and St. Elias Stable (Vincent Viola)

Jockey: Irad Ortiz Jr.

Breeder: South Gate Farm (Kentucky)

Breeding: Violence – Queen Caroline, by Blame

Auction History: 

  • 2021 Keeneland September Yearling Sale: Purchased by Repole Stable and St. Elias for $110,000 from Eaton Sales consignment
  • 2020 Keeneland November Breeding Stock Sale: Purchased by Silver Hill Farm for $80,000 out of Bluegrass Thoroughbred Services consignment

Last Race: 

  • Won Florida Derby (G1) at Gulfstream Park on April 1

Record: 7-6-0-0

Earnings: $2,409,830

Ocala/Marion County Connection: 

  • Received early training at Ocala Stud 

Other Notes: 

  • Co-owner Vincent Viola is also the owner of the Florida Panthers
Kingsbarns
Color Sex: Bay colt

Kentucky Derby Qualifying Points: 100

Trainer: Todd A. Pletcher (HOF)

Owner: Spendthrift Farm LLC

Jockey: Jose Ortiz

Breeder: Parks Investment Group LLC (Kentucky)

Breeding: Uncle Mo – Lady Tapit, by Tapit

Auction History: 

  • 2022 Fasig-Tipton 2-Year-Old in Training Gulfstream Sale: Purchased by current owners for $800,000 from Tom McCrocklin consignment
  • 2021 Fasig-Tipton August Yearling Sale: Purchased by Tom McCrocklin, agent for Champion Equine for $250,000

Last Races: Won the Louisiana Derby (G2) at Fair Grounds on March 25

Record: 3-3-0-0

Earnings: $657,300

Ocala/Marion County Connection: 

  • Received early training from Tom McCrocklin, of Ocala.
Lord Miles

**Scratched**

Color Sex: Bay colt

Kentucky Derby Qualifying Points: 105

Trainer: Saffie Joseph Jr.

Owner: Vegso Racing Stable

Jockey: Paco Lopez

Breeder: Vegso Racing Stable (Kentucky)

Breeding: Curlin – Lady Esme (Fla.), by Majestic Warrior

Auction History: Did not sell at public auction

Last Races: 

  • Won Wood Memorial (Grade 2) at Aqueduct on April 8

Record: 5-2-0-1

Earnings: $451,100

Ocala/Marion County Connection:

  • Owned and bred by Peter Vegso of Ocala
  • Dam Lady Esme is a Florida-bred bred by Vegso Racing Stable
Mage
Kentucky Derby Qualifying Points: 50 Trainer: Gustavo Delgado Owner: OGMA Investments LLC, Ramiro Restrepo, Sterling Racing LLC and CMNWLTH Jockey: Javier Castellano Breeder: Grandview Equine (Kentucky) Breeding: Good Magic – Puca, by Big Brown Auction History: 

  • Purchased by OGMA Investments for $290,000 at the Fasig-Tipton Timonium 2-year-old sale where he was consignmed by Sequel Bloodstock
  • Purchased by New Team for $235,000 at Keenleand September Yearling Sale from Runnymede Farm consignment.

Last Races: 

  • Second to Forte in Florida Derby (Grade 1) at Gulfstream Park on April 1

Record: 3-1-1-0 Earnings: $247,200 Ocala/Marion County Connection: 

  • Received early training from Becky Thomas at Sequel Bloodstock in Ocala
Practical Move

**Scratched**

Color Sex: bay colt

Kentucky Derby Qualifying Points: 160

Trainer:  Tim Yakteen

Owner: Leslie Amestory, Pierre Jean Amestory Jr., Roger K. Beasley

Jockey: Ramon Vazquez

Breeder: Chad Brown and Head of Plains Partners

Breeding: Practical Joke – Ack Naughty, by Afleet Alex (Fla.)

Auction History: 

  • Purchased by current owners at OBS Spring Sale for $230,000. Consigned by Eisaman Equine.
  • $90,000 RNA at Keeneland September Yearling Sale

Last Race:

  • Won the Santa Anita Derby (G1) at Santa Anita on April 8

Record: 7-4-1-1

Earnings: $884,200

Ocala/Marion County Connection:

  • Received early training and was consigned by Barry Eisaman at his Eisaman Equine in Williston, Fla
Raise Cain
Kentucky Derby Qualifying Points: 64

Trainer: Ben Colebrook

Owner: Andrew N. Warren and Rania Warren

Jockey: Gerardo Corrales

Breeder: Rock Ridge Thoroughbreds LLC (Kentucky)

Breeding: Violence – Lemon Belle (Fla.), by Lemon Drop Kid

Auction History:

  • 2022 Ocala Breeders’ Sales Open Sale of Two-Year-Olds in Training: $65,000 RNA from Eisaman Equine consignment
  • 2021 Keeneland September Yearling Sale: Purchased by Andrew Warren for $180,000 out of Warrendale Sales consignment

Last Race: 

  • Fifth in Blue Grass (G1) at Keeneland on April 8

Record: 7-2-1-1

Earnings: $296,328

Ocala/Marion County Connection: 

  • Received early training and was consigned by Barry Eisaman at his Eisaman Equine in Williston, Fla.                  (352) 529-0060
  • Dam Lemon Belle was bred in Florida by Gary Seidler and Peter Vegso
Rocket Can
Color Sex: Gray or roan colt

Kentucky Derby Qualifying Points: 60

Trainer: William I. Mott (HOF)

Owner: Frank Fletcher Racing Operations Inc.

Jockey: Junior Alvarado

Breeder: Woodford Thoroughbreds (Kentucky)

Breeding: Into Mischief – Tension, by Tapit

Auction History: 

  • 2021 Fasig-Tipton New York Saratoga Select Yearling Sale: RNA for $245,000 RNA out of Woodford Thoroughbreds consignment 

Last Race: 

  • Fourth in the Arkansas Derby (G1) won by Kingsbarns at Oaklawn Park on April 1

Record: 7-2-2-0

Earnings: $383,413

Ocala/Marion County Connection: 

  • Received early training at Woodford Thoroughbreds in Ocala, Fla.
Skinner

Color Sex: Bay colt

Kentucky Derby Qualifying Points: 45

Trainer: John Shirreffs

Owner: CRK Stable LLC

Jockey: Juan Hernandez

Breeder: Stonestreet Thoroughbred Holding (Kentucky)

Breeding: Curlin – Winding Way, by Malibu Moon

Auction History: 

  • 2022 OBS Spring Sale: Purchased by Mayberry Farm for $510,000 from de Meric Sales consignment
  • 2021 Keeneland September Yearling Sale: Purchased for $40,000 by First Finds out of Warrendale Sales consignment

Last Races:

  • Third in the Santa Anita Derby (Grade 1) won by Practical Move at Santa Anita on April 8

Record: 6-1-0-3

Earnings: $216,300

Ocala/Marion County Connection:

  • Received early training from Nick and Jaqui de Meric at their Manuden Farm in Ocala
Sun Thunder
Color Sex: Bay colt

Kentucky Derby Qualifying Points: 54

Trainer: Kenneth G. McPeek

Owner: R.T. Racing Stable and Cypress Creek Equine

Jockey: Brain Hernandez Jr.

Breeder: Southern Equine Stables LLC (Kentucky)

Breeding: Into Mischief – Greenfield d’Oro, by Medaglia d’Oro

Auction History:

  • 2021 Fasig Tipton New York Saratoga Select Yearling Sale: RNA for $495,000 at where he was consigned by Bluewater Sales
  • 2020 Fasig-Tipton Kentucky Fall Mixed Sale: Purchased by Jess Amorella as agent at the for $400,000 out of the Bluewater Sales consignment

Last Race: 

  • Fourth in the Blue Grass (Grade 1) won by Tapit Trice at Keeneland on April 8

Record: 6-1-1-1

Earnings: $247,500

Ocala/Marion County Connection:

  • Received early training at trainer Ken McPeek’s Silverleaf Hills Training Center in Summerfield.
Tapit Trice
Color Sex: Grey or roan colt

Kentucky Derby Qualifying Points: 150

Trainer: Todd A. Pletcher (HOF)

Owner: Whisper Hill Farm LLC and Gainesway Stable (Anthony Beck)

Jockey: Luis Saez

Breeder: Gainesway Thoroughbreds Ltd. (Kentucky)

Breeding: Tapit – Danzatrice, by Dunkirk

Auction History: 

  • 2021 Keeneland September Yearling Sale: Purchased for $1.3 million by Whisper Hill Farm from Gainesway consignment

Last Race:

  • Won the Toyota Blue Grass (Grade 1) at Keeneland on April 8.

Record: 5-4-0-1

Earnings: $883,650

Ocala/Marion County Connection: 

  • Trained at Whisper Hill Training Center, Citra Florida
Two Phil's
Color Sex: Chestnut Colt

Kentucky Derby Qualifying Points: 123

Trainer: Larry Rivelli

Owner: Patricia Hope LLC and Phillip Sagan

Jockey: Jareth Loveberry

Breeder: Phillip Sagan (Kentucky)

Breeding: Hard Spun – Mia Torri (Fla), by General Quarters

Auction History:

  • 2021 Keeneland September Yearling Sale: $150,000 RNA out of the Ballysax Bloodstock consignment

Last Race:

  • Won Jeff Ruby Steaks (Grade 3) at Turfway Park on March 25

Record: 10-4-4-1

Earnings: $374,720

Ocala/Marion County Connection: 

  • Out of the Florida-bred mare Mia Torri, who was bred by Shadybrook Farm Inc.
Verifying
Color Sex: Bay colt

Kentucky Derby Qualifying Points: 54

Trainer: Brad H. Cox

Owner: Westerburg, Mrs. John Magnier, Jonathan Poulin, Derrick Smith and Michael B. Tabor

Jockey: Tyler Gaffalione

Breeder: Hunter Valley and Mountmellick Farm LLC

Breeding: Justify – Diva Delinte (Fla), by Repent

Auction History: 

  • 2021 Keeneland September Yearling Sale: Purchased by M.V. Magnier for $775,000 from Hunter Valley Farm consignment

Last Race:

  • Second to Tapit Trice in the Blue Grass (G1) at Keeneland on April 8 

Record: 6-2-2-0

Earnings: $489,900

Ocala/Marion County Connection: 

  • Received early training from David Scanlon at Scanlon Training and Sales near Williston 
  • Out of the Florida-bred mare Diva Delite bred by Clover Leaf Farms II Inc.
The 149th Kentucky Derby starts Saturday, May 6 at 9:00 am, when the gates open up and let the colorfully swarming crowds in to find their seats before first post at 10:30. The Horse Talk Show is providing coverage of the weekend’s activities, with show host (and Showcase agent) Louisa Barton live from Churchill Downs.  Louisa, who has covered the Derby for nearly a decade, is already hard at work interviewing owners, winners, and spectators, as well as getting up early for the breathtaking morning workouts. Coverage will also stream on Equus TV, where her show is also regularly featured. Showcase Properties is proud to be a sponsor of Horse Talk Show’s Derby coverage again this year. “We’re already doing the interviews and posting four times a day in the runup to the Derby,” Barton says.“We cover the pre-race local connections to the top horses, so we can really concentrate on their stories and achievements. We’ve been here since the start of the week, and you could already feel the Derby vibe here. I love it; it’s always such a wonderful experience to come and do this every year.”
UPDATE – 05.05.2023
Due to injury or illness, some of the horses have been replaced in the Derby. New horses in the Leaderboard are Cyclone Mischief, Mandarin Hero, and King Russell.  There may be other changes to the lineup between now and Post time, so to view the current and confirmed list of competitors, go to the official Kentucky Derby Leaderboard for all updated information.
If you can’t be in Kentucky, you can join the Hat Party at World Equestrian Center’s main terrace and watch everything on the huge Jumbotron, while sipping a refreshing mint julep with fellow racing fans and horse lovers. If they’re not in Louisville, this is probably the highest local concentration of hats, betting forms and boutonnieres you can find. You can have your own watch party and screen national broadcast and streaming coverage on NBC or Peacock, which will continue Triple Crown coverage with the Preakness Stakes on May 21 and Belmont Stakes June 10.
Mint Juleps at the Kentucky Derby
Louisa Barton with The Horse Talk Show discussing the Kentucky Derby

Additional Resources

 

https://www.facebook.com/thehorsetalkshow/
(Special coverage 10 am Wed-Fri and 2pm Sat)

https://www.thehorsetalkshownetwork.com/

https://equustelevision.com/