Good Magic rebounds to take Blue Grass

Apr 07, 2018 Vance Hanson/Brisnet.com

A bit of a disappointment in his season debut last month, juvenile champion Good Magic rebounded nicely in Saturday's $1 million Blue Grass (G1) at Keeneland, confirming his status as a major player in the Kentucky Derby (G1) in four weeks.

Under Jose Ortiz, the 8-5 favorite broke alertly and settled in fifth into the first turn and down the backside. Making a three wide bid on the far turn, Good Magic headed second choice Flameaway, who had dueled for the lead through the opening half before putting away the pesky longshot Arawak, by the quarter pole.

Taking over at the turn for home, Good Magic opened up a 1 1/2-length lead and held it to the wire as Takeaway bravely hung tough on the inside to hold second. The final time for nine furlongs on a fast track was 1:50.18.

In winning the Blue Grass, Good Magic was the first juvenile colt champion to capture Keeneland's signature event since Chief's Crown in 1985.

Owned by eFive Racing Thoroughbreds and Stonestreet Stables, the Chad Brown trainee returned $5.20. There was drama for third place as Sporting Chance ducked in and out in the final furlong, interfering with Free Drop Billy in the process. Sporting Chance was disqualified from third and placed fourth behind Free Drop Billy.

“I thought it was an outstanding performance,” Brown said. “He was well-placed early and kept steady throughout. Maybe we dock one point where it looked like he jumped a shadow near the wire, but that's him. He's going to look around a little bit. I was really happy how he ran today. For only two starts this year, I was hoping to be peaking for the Derby and hopefully we'll advance another step on Derby Day. Looks like is a very good crop of horses this year and it's going to be a tough race.”

As part of the Road to the Kentucky Derby series, Good Magic earned 100 points, increasing his total to 144. Flameaway earned 40 points, boosting his total to 70 points. Free Drop Billy earned 20 points, pushing his total to 44, while Sporting Chance earned 10 points.

Second in his debut at Saratoga on Travers Day and runner-up again in the Champagne (G1) in October, Good Magic was a decisive 4 1/4-length scorer in the Breeders' Cup at Del Mar to close out his championship campaign. He was 4 1/2 lengths third to Promises Fulfilled in the March 3 Fountain of Youth (G2) to open his campaign.

“In hindsight, (heading into the Fountain of Youth) he was probably a couple of works short,” Brown said. “If you want to stay on the Derby trail, you have to run when it's time to get started. This horse came out of that race real well – bigger, stronger and has had some impressive workouts since. We were pretty confident coming into this race. I love the way he did it today.”

A $1 million Keeneland September purchase is a son of Curlin and multiple stakes winner Glinda the Good, by Hard Spun. His earnings are now $1,855,000.

(Holly Smith photo)