Roadster 2019 Kentucky Derby Contender Profile

One of three top contenders for this year’s Kentucky Derby (G1) in Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert’s barn, this colt was a late arrival to the proceedings after missing some time with throat surgery. 

The $525,000 Keeneland purchase showed plenty of talent as a juvenile, breaking his maiden in his debut and then running third beaten two lengths in the Del Mar Futurity (G1). 

The colt did not make his three-year-old debut until March 1 at Santa Anita, a sharp winner against first-level optional claimers at Santa Anita. 

Next up was his only shot of making it in the Run for the Roses when sent off at 3-1 in the Santa Anita Derby (G1) where he was facing off against his stablemate Game Winner, the 2018 juvenile champion. 

Under Hall of Fame jockey Mike Smith, the colt stalked the early pace and made a good late rally to beat his more highly regarded stablemate by a half-length.

His early Kentucky Derby betting odds at Bovada went from +2000 to +700 and have gone down farther as the race approaches, the colt now the co-favorite with Game Winner at +500. 

While Smith was board for all four of his starts, as the regular rider of Omaha Beach as well, the jockey had to make a very tough decision. 

Smith rode Omaha Beach to wins in the Rebel (G2) and Arkansas Derby (G1) at Oaklawn Park and elected to stick with that colt on the first Saturday of May. 

The beneficiary will be Florent Geroux, who picks up the mount on a very live horse in Roadster.