Leparoux riding hot streak entering Derby
LOUISVILLE, Ky. — For a moment last winter, Julien Leparoux wondered if he might be a spectator for the Kentucky Derby. Fast forward several months to the jockey not only participating but also having his choice of three mounts in his quest for his first Derby win.
Leparoux made the easy choice to ride Classic Empire, the colt who is the early 4-1 favorite for today’s race at Churchill Downs. After all, the 33-year-old Frenchman has ridden the colt to five victories in six starts, including last month’s Arkansas Derby.
On the other hand, that Arkansas win left Leparoux with a good problem to have just a week after he rode Irap to victory in the Blue Grass at Keeneland. Three in-the-money finishes with State of Honor earned that horse enough Derby points to make the 20-horse field, as well.
“The winter has been crazy, Derby-wise,” Leparoux said. “Went from nothing to having three in the Derby. It’s been a good winter and spring, for sure.”
In truth, Leparoux likely would have merited consideration for a Derby mount even without getting a horse into the field. The Eclipse Award-winning jockey has nearly 2,400 wins with seven Breeders’ Cup triumphs, including last year’s Juvenile aboard Classic Empire.
But by qualifying three Derby hopefuls in as many weeks, Leparoux has demonstrated an ability to coax something more out of his mounts.
Consider that Irap entered the Blue Grass as a 33-1 long shot even with three seconds, a third and three fourths, mostly with jockey Mario Gutierrez. With Gutierrez committed to So Conflated for the Santa Anita Derby the same day, trainer Doug O’Neill turned to Leparoux to see if the horse could finish in the money.
Irap went on to a three-quarter-length upset victory as Leparoux made sure his mount saved his best, which didn’t surprise O’Neill at all.
“He’s just a phenomenal, tremendous jockey with the ‘it’ factor where horses give their best efforts for him,” O’Neill said. “What I love about Julien the few times I’ve used him is he is very prepared. He knew what he wanted to do in that race and he put it to work.”
Abel Tasman takes Kentucky Oaks
Abel Tasman rallied from last and charged late to win the Kentucky Oaks by 1¼ lengths on Friday and give Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert the victory with his lone entrant in the weekend marquee races at Churchill Downs.
As Miss Sky Warrior charged past favorite Paradise Woods through the far turn, Abel Tasman and Daddys Lil Darling also began making their moves on the sloppy track. Abel Tasman got clear in the stretch to win the $1 million race for 3-year-old fillies.
“About halfway down the backside, man, she got it all together and she made it up quick,” jockey Mike Smith said. “I knew we were alive then, and once we straightened up it was a matter of keeping her held together, staying busy and she did it all.” Abel Tasman ran 1 miles in 1:51.62 and paid $20.40, $9.20 and $6.40. Daddys Lil Darling returned $11 and $6.60, and Lockdown paid $18.40.
“(Winning) never gets old,” said Baffert, who doesn’t have a horse in today’s Kentucky Derby. “It’s exciting, especially when you’re not the heavy favorite to sneak in there and win one like that.”