Chancer McPatrick scoring the Champagne. (Coglianese/NYRA)
Multiple Grade I Winner Chancer McPatrick Returns In Tampa Bay Derby
Derby Dispatch/Edited
LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Flanagan Racing’s two-time Grade I winner Chancer McPatrick is set to make his 3-year-old debut against six rivals entered in Saturday’s $400,000 Tampa Bay Derby (GIII), a Road to the Kentucky Derby Championship Series contest.
The Tampa Bay Derby, the marquee race of the Tampa Bay Downs season, will go as Race 11 with a post time 5:34 p.m. ET. The 1 1/16-mile contest will award the top five finishers qualifying points on a 50-25-15-10-5 scale toward a spot in the starting gate for the $5 million Kentucky Derby presented by Woodford Reserve (GI) on Saturday, May 3 at Churchill Downs.
Trained by Chad Brown, Chancer McPatrick has been preparing for his 3-year-old debut since late January at Payson Park in South Florida. The son of McKinzie won three times as a 2-year-old, highlighted by victories in the Hopeful Stakes (GI) at Saratoga and the Champagne Stakes (GI) at Aqueduct during the Belmont at the Big A meet. He finished sixth as the 2-1 second choice in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (GI) before undergoing minor ankle surgery. Chancer McPatrick will add blinkers for the Tampa Bay Derby and break from post 2 under Flavien Prat.
“Over the last three weeks, he’s made up a lot of ground quick,” Brown said. “I wasn’t quite sure he was going to get there in time. He’s about 80 percent ready, that’s good enough to get him started. We’ll run him here and evaluate what we’re going to do after that.”
Stablemate Hill Road is also set to make his 3-year-old debut in the Tampa Bay Derby, his first start for Brown after previously being trained by Adrian Murray. Owned by AMO Racing USA, the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (GI) third-place finisher will also add blinkers in the Tampa Bay Derby and break from post 3 with Tyler Gaffalione aboard.
Flying Dutchman Breeding and Racing’s Owen Almighty continues his Road to the Kentucky Derby campaign after a narrow runner-up finish to John Hancock in the Sam F. Davis (Listed), the local prep for the Tampa Bay Derby. Trained by Brian Lynch, Owen Almighty won the seven-furlong Pasco Stakes in early January and captured the Ellis Park Juvenile as a 2-year-old. Irad Ortiz Jr. has the mount from the rail.
“He is coming out of his last race as good as we could have hoped, and he’s trained well since that race. So, we’re excited about bringing him back to Tampa to give him another try,” said Lynch.
There’s always a concern when a horse runs as hard as he did, but he may have had more experience to absorb it a little better. He’s given us every sort of vibe to say, ‘let’s have another go.’ … He’s probably got some distance limitations and there are some very good races for 3-year-olds over the summer at shorter distances.”
Also entered in the Tampa Bay Derby are CHC Inc. and WinStar Farm’s Patch Adams, an eye-catching 10-length maiden special weight winner; Gold Square’s Filoso, third in the Breeders’ Futurity (GI); D J Stable’s allowance winner Brodeur; and Mr. Pug and Jpg 2’s Naughty Rascal, who won the Pasco Stakes.
“He’s a pretty straightforward horse to work. He switches his leads when asked. He’s not too fast out of the gate but he picks up the bridle quickly after he breaks,” said Davis who will get the leg up on Filoso.
The field for the Tampa Bay Derby
Click for Brisnet Past Performances for Tampa Bay Derby.
How To Watch The Tampa Bay Derby
> FanDuel TV and FS2 will have live, on-site coverage at Tampa Bay Downs.
> Stream live on TwinSpires.com, the official wagering provider of Churchill Downs Incorporated and the Kentucky Derby.
Key Races To Watch To Watch
This weekend there are several races around the world that could have implications on the Kentucky Derby and Kentucky Oaks. Here are some of the key races:
Saturday
- TAM, R6 (2:55 p.m.), MSW, 3yo, 7 F
- OP, R8 (5:12 p.m.), MSW, 3yo, 1 1/16 M
- TAM, R11 (5:34 p.m.), $400,000 Tampa Bay Derby (GIII), 3yo, 1 1/16 M
Sunday
- GP, R9 (5:08 p.m.), OC 75000n1x, 3yo, 1 M
- OP, R8 (5:12 p.m.), MSW, 3yo f, 1 M
DOWN THE STRETCH … … …… ……..
