My Boy Jack could sneak into Derby winner’s circle

Barn 25, tucked away in the far corner of Churchill Downs’ backstretch near a road, can be a pretty lonely place. Tuesday morning was no different. A lone security guard stood protecting the horses from nobody. Trainer Keith Desormeaux held the reins as a groom washed one horse off.

Three young women watched, asking if it was Kentucky Derby runner My Boy Jack.

“Nope, he’s done for the day, he’s sleeping,” Desormeaux said.

They scurried off, the security guard disappeared, the groom left, and Desormeaux was left to walk the horse around the shedrow before returning outside and doubling the population to two.

“I hope this isn’t indicative of our chances in the race, one lonely reporter,” Desormeaux said with a smile. “Any support helps.”

Desormeaux doesn’t really need any help. Even though his stable is very small by comparison, around 25 to 30 horses, it’s his third straight trip to the Kentucky Derby.

Two years ago, he finished second and then went on to win the Preakness Stakes with Exaggerator. Last year he had Sonneteer, who finished 16th.

My Boy Jack seems overlooked at 30-1 on the morning line but he is generating some buzz among some race observ-

ers. He’s ranked 10th in a couple of national polls and second in the weekly poll done by Jon White for The Times.

The Santa Anita-based colt is the most experienced in the Derby, having run 10 times. He won three of those races including the Grade 3 Risen Star and Lexington Stakes. He was on the lower end of the bubble to make the Derby field, so Desormeaux ran him in the Lexington three weeks ago, where he earned enough points to make the race.