Home » Eleven Keeneland sales graduates entered in Kentucky Derby

Eleven Keeneland sales graduates entered in Kentucky Derby

Derby is Saturday

LEXINGTON, Ky. (May 5, 2016) — Eleven graduates of Keeneland sales, led by undefeated champion Nyquist, are among the 22 horses entered in Saturday’s 142nd running of the $2,391,600 Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (G1) at Churchill Downs. Approximate post time for the 1¼-mile race for 3-year-olds is 6:34 p.m.

Nyquist is the 3-1 morning-line favorite for the race.

Keeneland has sold 19 Kentucky Derby winners, most recently 2012 winner I’ll Have Another. In the remaining Triple Crown competition, Keeneland sales graduates have accounted for 21 Preakness (G1) victories and 18 Belmont (G1) wins.

The Keeneland sales graduates entered in the 2016 Kentucky Derby, limited to 20 horses, are:

Brody’s Cause (Giant’s Causeway-Sweet Breanna) – Owner Albaugh Family Stable purchased the winner of Keeneland’s Toyota Blue Grass (G1) and Claiborne Breeders’ Futurity (G1) for $350,000 at Keeneland’s 2014 September Yearling Sale. He was consigned by Paramount Sales, agent. Gabriel Duignan, William Arvin Jr. and Petaluma Bloodstock bred Brody’s Cause, who is trained by Dale Romans.

Creator (Tapit-Morena [PER]) – Gainesway, agent for breeder Mt. Brilliant Farm, consigned the Arkansas Derby (G1) winner to the 2014 September Sale, where he was purchased for $440,000 by Maverick Racing. Steve Asmussen trains the colt for WinStar Farm.

Destin (Giant’s Causeway-Dream of Summer) – Owner Twin Creeks Racing Stable paid $400,000 for the winner of the Lambholm South Tampa Bay Derby (G2) and Sam F. Davis (G3) at the 2014 September Sale. Taylor Made Sales Agency, agent, consigned Destin, who was bred by James C. Weigel and Taylor Made Stallions. He is trained by Todd Pletcher.

Exaggerator (Curlin-Dawn Raid) – Big Chief Racing paid $110,000 for the Santa Anita Derby (G1) winner at the 2014 September Sale and races him in partnership with Head of Plains Partners and Rocker O Ranch et al. Bred by Joseph B. Murphy, the colt was consigned by Warrendale Sales, agent. He is trained by Keith Desormeaux.

Majesto (Tiznow-Unacloud) – Owner Grupo 7C Racing Stable paid $300,000 for the colt at the 2014 September Sale. Diamond A Racing Corp. bred Majesto, consigned by Taylor Made Sales Agency, agent. He is trained by Gustavo Delgado.

Mohaymen (Tapit-Justwhistledixie) – The four-time graded stakes winner was the $2.2 million co-sale topper of the 2014 September Sale, where he was purchased by Shadwell Estate Co. Breeder Clearsky Farms sold the colt, trained by Kiaran McLaughlin for owner Shadwell Stable.

Mo Tom (Uncle Mo-Caroni) – Owner G M B Racing purchased the Lecomte (G3) winner for $150,000 from the consignment of Warrendale Sales, agent, at the 2014 September Sale. Tom Amoss trains the colt, bred by Hargus and Sandra Sexton and Silver Fern Farm.

Nyquist (Uncle Mo-Seeking Gabrielle) – Most recently the winner of the Xpressbet.com Florida Derby (G1), the colt is a graduate of two Keeneland auctions. In 2013, Paramount Sales, agent, consigned him as a weanling to the November Breeding Stock Sale, where he was purchased by Madison Farm for $180,000. At the 2014 September Sale, consignor Dromoland Farm, agent, sold Nyquist to Sutton Place Stables for $230,000. Bred by Summerhill Farm, he is trained by Doug O’Neill for Reddam Racing.

Suddenbreakingnews (Mineshaft-Uchitel) – Owner S.F. “Sonny” Henderson acquired the Southwest (G3) winner for $72,000 at the 2014 September Sale. Warrendale Sales, agent, consigned Suddenbreakingnews, bred by Branch Equine. Donnie Von Hemel trains the gelding.

Tom’s Ready (More Than Ready-Goodbye Stranger) – Hill ‘n’ Dale Sales Agency, agent, offered the colt at the 2013 November Sale. Blackstone Farm bred Tom’s Ready, who races for G M B Racing and is trained by Dallas Stewart.

Also-eligible: Laoban (Uncle Mo-Chattertown) – Bred by Respite Farm, the colt is a graduate of two Keeneland sales. Denali Stud, agent, consigned him as a weanling to the 2013 November Sale, where Milfer Farm, agent, purchased him for $40,000. Legacy Bloodstock, agent, consigned him to the 2014 September Sale, where GEM Stables acquired him for $260,000. Eric Guillot trains the colt for McCormick Racing and Southern Equine Stable.