After Kentucky Oaks win, trainer Chad Brown hopes for double with Emerging Market in Kentucky Derby :: WRAL.com
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — Chad Brown wore an enormous smile as he hand-slapped a tough 5 with jockey Jose Ortiz after breaking by way of on the observe he cherishes above many others.
The profitable trainer saved grinning by way of a congratulatory gauntlet following Friday evening’s Kentucky Oaks at Churchill Downs, hoping that colt Emerging Market can double the celebration for him in Saturday’s Kentucky Derby.
“I feel confident,” Brown stated after Always A Runner got here on late by way of the ultimate flip to win the marquee race for 3-year-old fillies by 1 1/4 lengths below the lights.
“I know I have a nice horse, it’s a tough race. But when horses are training and giving you a good feel, you feel good about it.”
Brown has felt good about all his entrants on the Derby, though his two signature wins in the Triple Crown collection have come later on the Preakness. The five-time Eclipse Award-winning trainer has nonetheless completed second at Churchill Downs twice since 2018, spectacular sufficient for him to be thought of an annual contender in the Run For The Roses.
Two years in the past, Sierra Leone stormed from close to the again after being bumped at first, solely to be misplaced by a nostril to Mystik Dan. Good Magic had a significantly better journey in 2018, however completed 2 1/2 lengths behind Justify, who went on to win the Triple Crown for Hall of Famer Bob Baffert.
Considering how Always A Runner overcame pneumonia final fall and a protracted break to win the Oaks and stay unbeaten in three profession begins this 12 months, it is no marvel that Brown was requested whether or not Emerging Market might comply with swimsuit in the Derby after the identical sickness shelved his 2-year-old marketing campaign.
“She didn’t have to be here today,” Brown stated of the darkish brown filly. “She did not must run once more. She might have by no means run, simply. I’ve had it occur with a number of horses.
“The fact that not only did she overcome it and ended up here today as an undefeated horse in the Oaks is remarkable.”
Meanwhile, Emerging Market gained his February debut at Tampa Bay Downs by 1 3/4 lengths earlier than beating Pavlovian by a head in the Grade 2 Louisiana Derby on March 21. The colt will go off as a 15-1 selection on Saturday with Flavien Pratt aboard from the No. 15 submit.
For now, Brown is savoring his first Oaks win that just about appeared inevitable contemplating how Always A Runner ran patiently and confidently earlier than turning it by way of the ultimate flip in the twilight. Whether Emerging Market can carry that momentum over to the Derby and the winner’s circle stays to be seen, however Brown has one thing to construct on from his technique of operating each horses by way of two-turn races beforehand.
“I stick with issues which might be working,” Brown said. “So, two begins, we must be good. But that is one other horse that is simply doing effectively.
“Like this filly, she was giving off signs all week here at Churchill to everyone that she was trained well, and the betting public saw it and she went off at least favored or co-favored. My other horse is trained just as well.”
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AP horse racing: https://apnews.com/hub/horse-racing
