Omaha Beach 2019 Kentucky Derby Contender Profile

*Omaha Beach has been pulled from the race due to an injury.

Trainer Richard Mandella was high on this colt as a juvenile and he showed plenty of potential in his first few starts but could not get a win under his belt until his fifth career start.

His first three starts came on turf. After a third in his debut, he came out on the wrong end of photos in his second and third outings. His first dirt try came on January 4 at Santa Anita going a mile and he was beaten a half-length. 

The colt finally earned his diploma on February 2, rolling to a nine-length victory in the slop going seven furlongs at Santa Anita.

His stakes debut came in the split Rebel (G2) at Oaklawn Park where he ran into 2018 juvenile champion Game Sportsbook. 

Despite only having a maiden win under his belt, he was sent off at 9-2 and pulled off the mild upset. He prompted the early pace, took command heading for home and held on to beat Game Sportsbook by a nose. 

He then was sent off as the betting favorite in the Arkansas Derby (G1) and did not disappoint, winning by a length over the Bob Baffert-trained Improbable. 

The early betting odds of Omaha Beach dropped from +1600 to +1200 shortly before the Arkansas Derby and down to +600 after his win. His current odds stand at +550, good for third choice in the early wagering at Sportsbook. 

By the time they break from the starting gate on the first Saturday of May, this colt could end up going off as the favorite. Hall of Fame jockey Mike Smith elected to stick with this colt instead of riding the Baffert-trained Roadster, who won the Santa Anita Derby (G1). 

Smith is coming off a year where he was aboard Triple Crown Sportsbook American Pharoah.