The Kentucky Downs meet has made greater than a splash on the racing calendar for Kentucky-breds racing for the profitable purses supported by the Kentucky Thoroughbred Improvement Fund. Nevertheless, to not be slept on is how a lot the bottom purses have risen because of the state’s Historic Racing Machines.
The story of the meet’s richest race, the $2,337,160 Nashville Derby (G3T), was not that of a Kentucky-bred taking residence the monstrous purse. As a substitute, Bellum Justum secured a handsome 2 1/4-length victory Aug. 31 to indicate that Europeans could have one thing to say throughout this meet for years to come back.
“It is advantageous to be a Kentucky-bred, however the base cost is so improbable, we’ll maintain coming,” mentioned Adrian Beaumont of the Worldwide Racing Bureau.
This was the primary 12 months that the Worldwide Racing Bureau was utilized to recruit horses to journey throughout the pond for the Kentucky Downs assembly. Bellum Justum’s success will solely encourage extra house owners and trainers to take the chance to journey.
“We made a giant splash of it,” mentioned Beaumont. “It was my first time right here, I can return and clarify to trainers what the monitor is like, what the floor is like. The truth that we had success right here is a large factor. Phrase of mouth is the very best factor to encourage individuals to come back.”
Bred in Eire by Rabbah Bloodstock Restricted, Bellum Justum raced for the bottom purse of $1.9 million and pocketed $1,054,310 for his victory.
“This may be with the very prime races,” Beaumont mentioned of how the purse compares to the choices that may have been out there to the son of Sea The Stars in Europe. “The cash right here is wonderful.”
The cash was engaging to the profitable proprietor King Energy Racing and coach Andrew Balding to take the possibility and journey the colt for the primary time.
“He has loads of choices at residence, however the race seemed like such a terrific alternative,” mentioned King Energy’s assistant racing supervisor Pippa Tuthill. “(King Energy) enjoys touring their horses. So long as the race is appropriate for the horse, they’re pleased to go.”
Pippa Tuthill (center), Adrian Beaumont (proper) and jockey Frankie Dettori have a good time their Nashville Derby win
The Nashville Derby proved greater than appropriate for Bellum Justum. Racing close to the tail of the 12-horse discipline, jockey Frankie Dettori discovered himself additional behind than he anticipated.
“He completely flubbed the beginning,” mentioned Dettori, who received three races on the cardboard. “I used to be means too far again, however fortunate Jamie (Spencer on pace-setting Navy Seal) was so quick.
“On the again straight, I used to be capable of make good enchancment to get a slot, as a result of I knew he would keep very properly. … I knew he’d gallop out to the road as a result of he stays a mile-and-a-half.”
The early transfer into rivalry down the backstretch behind fractions of :24.95, 49.18, and 1:13.02 proved the appropriate resolution because it acquired him clear sufficient to carry off the late cost of Carson’s Run , who completed a nostril forward of Rothschild for second.
Bellum Justum returned $6.44 to win whereas finishing the 1 5/16 miles in 2:07.28
Tuthill mentioned the bay colt will head again to Europe, however a return for the Breeders’ Cup will not be off the desk for the Epsom Derby (G1) participant. In the meantime, a extra sure prediction for the long run can be King Energy’s return to the Kentucky Downs turf course.
“It is our first time at Kentucky Downs,” mentioned Tuthill. “We might very properly be again with the appropriate horse.”
