5 Facts

1. Jockey Joel Rosario won the 2013 KY Derby on Orb.
2. Trainer Chad Brown won his first Eclipse Award in 2016 with a season that saw horses earn $23 million.
3. Finished second in the Bluegrass Stakes at Keeneland, just three-quarters of a length behind Irap.
4. He was bred at Whispering Oaks Farm in Paris, KY by Keith Crupper and his trainer brother, Allen.
5. He was purchased for $135,000 by Gainesway’s Director of Public Sales, Brian Graves, on behalf of Clear Ridge Stables.

Horse Bio

Practical Joke was a leading juvenile in 2016, and his two 3-year-old runs suggests he’s on the right path toward the Kentucky Derby.

Trained by Chad Brown, Practical Joke fought strongly to win the Hopeful Stakes (G1) and Champagne Stakes (G1) before finishing a distant third to Classic Empire in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1).

At his first 3-year-old start he finished second in the Fountain of Youth Stakes (G2) at Gulfstream Park March 4, looming up near the top of the stretch but failing to go with the more seasoned Gunnevera in the final stages. He improved on that in the Blue Grass Stakes (G2) at Keeneland, beating all but Irap while finishing in front of McCraken and Tapwrit.

Bred by Whispering Oaks, Practical Joke was a $240,000 purchase at the 2015 Keeneland September Yearling Sale. He is raced by Klaravich Stables and William H. Lawrence.

Practical Joke’s sire Into Mischief won the Cash Call Futurity (G1) as a juvenile before being forced off the Triple Crown trail by injury at three, his stamina untested. His best progeny include Santa Anita Derby (G1) winner Goldencents and Louisiana Derby (G2) winner Vicar’s In Trouble. Practical Joke’s dam Halo Humor descends from the stakes winning mare Careless Moment, dam of the multiple graded stakes winner Moment of Hope.

Practical Joke’s pedigree raises some questions about his ability to stay 1-1/4 miles, as has his inability to win past a mile so far in his career, but it would pay not to dismiss his stamina just yet.

Practical Joke was at 25-1 when Pool 4 of the Kentucky Derby Future Wager finished April 2, and if he can continue to improve, he has solid credentials for punters going into the First Saturday in May and would be a wise pick.

2017 Derby and Oaks Workout Videos