Derby News

Photo By: Adam Coglianese

Like Now (inside) holds off Keyed Entry (yellow cap) and Sweetnorthernsaint to score a 36-1 upset in the Gotham Stakes (GIII) at Aqueduct

NEW YORK (March 18, 2006) - Maybe fate will smile upon trainer Kiaran McLaughlin this year. Second in last year's wild Kentucky Derby with Closing Argument, McLaughlin appears headed into this year's edition with a strong hand headed by Like Now, who went wire-to-wire to post a huge upset in Saturday's $200,000 Gotham Stakes (GIII) at Aqueduct.

Keyed Entry, another Derby hopeful, was a neck back in second while favored Achilles of Troy, the favorite in the 1/16th mile race, finished fifth and was pulled up on the turn and vanned off.

"When he pulled up he was in a little bit of discomfort," said jockey Ramon Dominquez, aboard Achilles of Troy. "I was concerned at the get-go because he broke bad and had a bad trip."

According to New York Racing Association chief examining veterinarian Dr. Anthony Vederosa, there appeared to be no apparent injury, only a little soreness in his right front leg.

Sweetnorthernsaint was a half-length back in third, with Greeley's Legacy holding on for fourth. Putonyerdancinshuz, Hesanoldsalt, Sunshine Alpine, Eagle Head and Church Service completed the order of finish.

McLaughlin, who also trains promising 3-year-olds Jazil and Flashy Bull, said Like Now, three-for-three this year, would make his next start in the $750,000 Wood Memorial (GI) on April 8 as he moves toward a berth in the May 6 Kentucky Derby.

"You always have to look that way when you have a 3-year-old this time of the year in the Gotham," said McLaughlin, who said Jazil would go next in the Toyota Blue Grass (G1) on April 15 and Flashy Bull in the Florida Derby (G1) on April 1. "We will definitely keep taking steps forward to the Kentucky Derby as in the Wood Memorial next. Of course, we might not get such an easy lead."

Like Now, a son of Jules out of the Pine Bluff mare Can't Bluff Me who had never run further than six furlongs, was sent right to the front by jockey Fernando Jara and cruised to an uncontested lead, ticking off fractions of 23.25 and 47.78 as he opened up three lengths on Keyed Entry, who was ridden for the first time by Edgar Prado. The field began bunching up on the turn but Jara kept busy on Like Now and he was able to hold off the late bid from Keyed Entry, hitting the wire in 1:43.17.

It was the fourth victory in seven starts for Like Now, who earned $120,000 to boost his earnings to $213,932 for owner John J. Dillon.

"We thought he would be successful stretching out, but you never know until you try," said McLaughlin. "This was a tough spot to try. The last time he ran, the outrider had to pull him up, so we thought he would get the distance."

One of the longer shots in the field of 10 - despite running the day after St. Patrick's Day while carrying Kelly green and white silks emblazoned with a large shamrock -- Like Now returned $74.50, $22.20 and $10.20 while Keyed Entry, who had previously defeated First Samurai to win the Hutcheson (GII), paid $3.70 and $3.30. Sweetnorthernsaint paid $5.10 for show.

"This set (Keyed Entry) up nicely for the Wood, if that's what Todd (Pletcher) wants to do," said assistant trainer Seth Benzel. "We came in today with a question of whether or not he could rate or how he could take two turns, and he answered a lot of those questions. "It's always nice to come back with a win, but leading up to a race like the Kentucky Derby, a win isn't always the most important thing."

For McLaughlin, however, the victory was very sweet. As recently as last fall, Like Now was running maiden claiming races, breaking his maiden in his third start on November 2 and finishing the year with the one victory in four starts. He won an optional claimer on January 2, then posted a 2 ¾ length victory in the Fred Capossela on February 18.

"He's a smallish homebred and the people let us put him where we thought he could win," said McLaughlin of the decision to run him in claiming races. "We got lucky we didn't lose the horse. We always thought Like Now could go the distance, it was a question of getting the distance against quality horses. And beating a horse like Keyed Entry was amazing. It looked like he was the next unbeatable."

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