Jock’s Derby fate took big turn
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 almost having multiple horses to ride in a bid to win his first Run for the Roses.
Leparoux was always certain to ride Classic Empire, the colt who is the early 4-1 favorite for Saturday’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 that earned a Derby spot.
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’s been crazy, Derby-wise,” said Leparoux, who will break from the No. 14 post with Classic Empire. “Went from nothing to having three in the Derby. ... We picked up Irap and win the Blue Grass, which was a good surprise, and then State of Honor has run good all winter.
“It’s been a good winter and spring, for sure.”
In truth, Leparoux likely would’ve 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. Rain was pelting Churchill Downs at the start of an expected a threeday stretch of wet weather leading up to the Kentucky Derby. The outlook for the Kentucky Oaks on Friday wasn’t encouraging, with a 60 percent chance of rain forecast.
But there are two silver linings.
The first is that the serious preparations for the Oaks and Derby contenders are completed, and the weather wasn’t a factor Thursday morning, with most of the Derby horses out for routine maintenance gallops.
The second is that the rain could end well before the Derby on Saturday. While showers are forecast in the morning, the storm could move out before the scheduled post time of 6:46 p.m.
The dirt track at Churchill Downs has a reputation for rapidly draining and drying. While there undoubtedly will be some residual moisture on the surface, it might not be a muddy Derby if the sky clears in time.