Road to the Kentucky Derby – Alex’s Pedigree Paddock
Alex Henry | February 2nd, 2024
Welcome to a new ITMM segment: Alex’s Pedigree Paddock. Here, I highlight interesting pedigrees of 2024 Kentucky Derby contenders who are also my best bets for their prep race.
Photography credit: Coady Photography/Renee Torbit
Southwest Stakes | Oaklawn Park
Just Steel (March 2021)
Owner: BC Stables LLC | Breeder: (Ky) Summerhill Farm
Trainer: D. Wayne Lukas
KEESEP22 $500,000
Justify x Irish Lights* (AUS) by Fastnet Rock (AUS)
True Nicks: A++
Already equipped with 8 runs, 2 wins, 2 seconds, and 1 third, it’s no surprise that this Kentucky Derby contender is trained by the venerable Coach – D. Wayne Lukas. This strong racing foundation, unusual in the modern era of our sport where fans count their blessings to watch their 2 year old stars compete more than 3 to 4 times by the start of their 3 year old season, is complemented by an exceptional multi-continental pedigree.
Justify, our 13th Triple Crown winner, has enjoyed an exceptional start at stud as #1 Second-crop sire of 2023 led by champion 2 year old filly and dual grade 1 winner Just F Y I (o/o a Street Cry [IRE] mare). He has found early success in Australia as well, shuttling to the Southern Hemisphere in 2023 after a successful freshman year for Coolmore in both hemispheres in 2022. Breeders have astutely selected mares for Justify that blend well with Scat Daddy lineage, electing to bring forth significant turf influence. Due in part to several Scat Daddy offspring competing at the highest level on turf including, Caravaggio, Mendelssohn, Daddy Long Legs, and Dacita to name a few. Justify has crossed well with European and Australian turf pedigrees, siring graded stakes winners out of dams by Galileo, Street Cry, Sadler’s Wells, Fastnet Rock, Zabeel, Singspiel, Pivotal, and Ravens Pass. It would be remiss to note, however, that these aforementioned progeny from have all performed best on turf to date.
Irish Lights (Fastnet Rock o/o Aspen Falls by Hennessy), is accomplished on the track as well as the breeding shed. A precocious Australian filly, her greatest win was the last in her career, winning the Group 1 Thousand Guineas in 2009. She was unable to find subsequent success in stakes company, retiring with a record of 14-3-1-1. Before being imported to the US, she foaled Group 2 winner Omei Sword (AUS, by High Chaparral) and Stakes-placed Lipizzaner (USA, by Uncle Mo). Omei Sword won at 2 and 3 in Australia and was also precocious like her dam, breaking her maiden at first asking and finding Group 2 placing as a 2 year old. Her 3 year old season kicked off with winning the Group 2 Silver Shadow Stakes at Randwick Racecourse over 1,200 meters (~6 furlongs). She then finished second in the Group 1 Golden Rose Stakes to decorated sprinter Astern and other highly regarded 3 year old male sprinters. Much like her dam, she was winless in subsequent runs and eventually retired at the conclusion of her 4 year old season. As a broodmare, she has found success with her only foal to race thus far, dual Group 3 winner Muramasa (AUS, by Deep Impact).
In 8 starts Just Steel has only been tested on dirt, with his highest Beyer speed figure being 90 earned as a 2 year old in the 6 ½ furlong Ed Brown Stakes on November 23rd. When stretching out on New Year’s Day as a fresh 3 year old in the Smarty Jones stakes, he looked to be a winner around the final turn but was easily caught by Catching Freedom mid-stretch finishing second by 2 ½ lengths. Lukas elects to give him another shot to be a serious competitor on the Kentucky Derby trail this weekend in the 8.5 furlong Southwest. At 8-1 on the morning line, coupled with a stellar pedigree, he is a must use for my horizontal and vertical wagers at Oaklawn on Saturday. However, I would love to be a member of the betting public if and when he gives the lawn a try.
