Mr. Big News

50-1

STRENGTHS: Mr. Big News has a stout pedigree and appears to have inherited plenty of stamina. He has the look of a long-winded colt that should have no issues staying the demanding Derby distance of 1 1/4 miles. If the pace is hot, Mr. Big News has proved that he can take advantage at a huge price. Two starts back, in the Oaklawn Stakes, they blazed the way early only for Mr. Big News to make a huge charge to score at 46-1. The son of Giant’s Causeway has shown an affinity for a wet track and would move up if similar conditions occur on the first Saturday in September.

WEAKNESSES: Mr. Big News was defeated by one Art Collector, who would have been second choice in the Derby, in the Blue Grass Stakes without much excuse. His career-best Beyer Speed Figure of 88 pales in comparison to those of the major contenders. He will need a major boost in that department to contend for win honors. A true late-kicker, he’ll need a good amount of racing luck as well as pace help in such a big and bulky field.

BETTING VALUE: Mr. Big News should be a big price at post time. Odds of 50-1 seem realistic for a colt that finished off the board in his two prior starts against graded stakes company.

– Dan Illman

SIRE: European Horse of the Year Giant’s Causeway finished a gallant second in the 2000 Breeders’ Cup Classic, his only start on dirt. He went on to be a prominent sire in both North America and Europe, with his best runners excelling around two turns. The late stallion is the sire of 10 champions worldwide, including 2019 Horse of the Year Bricks and Mortar, fellow Eclipse Award winner Take Charge Brandi, French 2000 Guineas winner Shamardal, and Canadian classic winner Irish Mission.

DAM: Unappeased, a daughter of Irish stallion and international titan Galileo, is a half-sister to Grade 1 winner Sligo Bay and raced in Japan. She is the dam of Lalibela, a full sister to Mr. Big News, who was a winner at 1 1/8 miles on dirt. This is the family of Canadian Horse of the Year Glorious Song, who produced multiple stakes horses, including the globe-trotting champion Singspiel; and of champion juvenile Devil’s Bag.

OUTLOOK: Mr. Big News has an international pedigree replete with stamina. As seen by Derby winners such as Animal Kingdom and Barbaro, Churchill Downs can be kind to pedigrees with turf influences.

– Nicole Russo