Kentucky Derby Horse Profile: Super Stock

Apr 22, 2021 John Mucciolo/TwinSpires.com

Erv Woolsey and Keith Asmussen’s Super Stock punched his ticket to Churchill Downs on May 1 by posting a 2 1/2-length triumph in the $1 million Arkansas Derby (G1) at Oaklawn Park on April 10. The colt earned 100 points on the 2021 Road to the Kentucky Derby challenge series with his biggest win to date, completing 1 1/8 miles in 1:50.92.

Ricardo Santana Jr. will be back up in the Run for the Roses.

Super Stock improved his career mark to 8-2-2-2, $804,762, in posting his initial Grade 1 victory. The son of Dialed In debuted as a juvenile on the Keeneland turf on July 9 and never factored. He was moved to the main oval for his second venture and showed vast improvement when finishing runner-up by a head at Lone Star Park. In his third performance, the Kentucky-bred broke through with a score in the Texas Thoroughbred Futurity.

Trainer Steve Asmussen's son, Keith, had the mount in the first three starts.

Super Stock finished a solid third beneath the Twin Spires in the subsequent Iroquois S. (G3) in his route debut. The bay followed with a creditable third in the Breeders’ Futurity (G1) at Keeneland prior to capping a busy two-year-old season with a second-place showing in the Street Sense S. at Churchill.

Super Stock finished fourth in his three-year-old bow in the Rebel S. (G2) prior to upsetting the Arkansas Derby in his first try at 1 1/8 miles. 

'He's improving a lot,' Santana said. 'He's growing up. I'm really, really happy with that horse right now.'

The winner was bred in the Bluegrass State by Pedro Gonzalez and P.J. Gonzalez, and he was purchased by his current connections for $70,000 at the 2019 Keeneland September Yearling Sale. He is the second black type performer produced from the winning Closing Argument mare Super Girlie, following 2018 Del Mar Debutante (G1) third Boujie Girl. This is the same female line as Puerto Rican champion Estrellero.

Super Stock earned a lifetime best 97 Brisnet Speed figure at Oaklawn Park on Saturday, which included an average 86 Brisnet Late Pace number. He remains a question mark to me going 10 panels against the best of his generation, though he did just defeat a pair of standout performers in the Arkansas Derby in convincing fashion. 

To be a serious Kentucky Derby contender, Super Stock must continue to improve in his third start off the layoff.