By Mike Pribozie
Chunk of Gold comes into this Kentucky Derby with 75 points after a solid showing in two of the Prep races on the Fair Grounds road to the Derby. At tenth place on the leaderboard Chunk of Gold is primed to make an impact on this Derby. An ugly duckling to glowing swan story as he was a $2500 yearling purchase for owner Terry Stephens and trained by up and coming trainer
Ethan West. Chunk of Gold was a maiden winner first out at Turfway beating eight others at 13/1 on the board. He was thrust into stakes company and had a troubled trip in the listed Leonatus Stakes leading him on the road to the Derby. In talking with Ethan West following his 2nd place finish in the Risen Star Stakes, he explained that weather and the possibility of not getting into the Turfway stake spot they were pointing to led to his trip to Fair Grounds to try the dirt. His two races there put him square in the starting gate for this year’s Kentucky Derby with a puncher’s chance to crack the trifecta.
Racing Record and Notable Performances
Chunk of Gold comes into the Derby with four lifetime starts. His first two starts were on the synthetic track at Turfway with him breaking the maiden first out from the rail with a 78 BSF going 6 furlongs. On the strength of that win Chunk tried the listed Leonatus Stakes for 125K where he broke last early, had trouble chasing a slow pace. He finished up strong losing to Baby Max with a BSF of 74. The race came up slow but visually he was strong in that race and looked to take a step forward. A month later on February 15th he shipped to Fair Grounds for the Grade 2 Risen Star Stakes where he was 43/1 on the board. He rallied behind the blowout winner Magnitude who won by 9 ¾ lengths. He did get stopped at the top of the stretch behind the fading East Avenue. Now one could say the inside was the place to be that day and he spent time on the rail. The start and stop trip and re-rally nature of his run first time dirt could be useful in a 20 horse scramble in the Derby. First time dirt BSF was 92. He paired up the 92 figure in the Louisiana Derby when close to a swift pace of 46.92 and 1:11. He made a move at the top of the stretch for the lead but it was short lived as Tiztastic rallied from off the pace to win.
Pedigree and Connections
- Sire: Preservationist
- Dam & Damsire: Play for Gold (by Cairo Prince)
- Owner: Terry Stephens
- Trainer: Ethan West
- Jockey: Jareth Loveberry
Chunk of Gold is by Preservationist who stands for $5000 with a limited record as a stallion. He has 132 foals with 78 of them to race. He has 46 winners so far with over 4 million in earnings. He won the Suburban in 2019 at 10f and the Woodward going 9f. He is the sire of Antiquarian who was a Stakes horse last year on the Triple Crown trail winning the Peter Pan Stakes. He will be standing stud in Korea in 2025. The Dam Play for Gold produced Band for Gold (a full sister to Chunk of Gold) who made over 200K and won the 2024 Martha Washington Stakes. Chunk of Gold has route pedigree from a sire that has a limited sample size. The mare was a solid dirt performer that never reached the top level but was a useful racehorse.
Ethan West is a 32 year old trainer based at Turfway Park who I interviewed earlier this year on the road to this Derby. He is capable with a good horse winning the Byron Station Stakes at Keeneland in 2023 with Runaway Storm. He is known for galloping his own horses which gives him a different perspective than most trainers. He was 13% last year and is ready to jump on the big stage with a big horse.
Jareth Loveberry rode Two Phils to a second place finish in the 2023 Kentucky Derby. He is a solid journeyman rider whose mounts have earned nearly 45 million dollars. He is on his way to 2000 lifetime wins. While not a big name he is very capable and knows this horse riding him to his last two Stakes placed finishes. These connections will get plenty of national attention and the “story” will attract public money.
Final Prep Analysis
- Final Prep Race: G2 Louisiana Derby at Fair Grounds (March 22nd)
- Finish Position: 2nd out of 10
- Final Time: 1:56.20
- Beyer Speed Figure: 92
Chunk of Gold finished 2nd in the 9.5 Furlong Louisiana Derby on March 22 after being close to a quick pace while stalking on the rail. They went 46.84 going the 9.5 furlongs and Chunk was making his move chasing the dueling leaders heading to the Mile pole. He was running to the lead into the stretch but Tiztastic was rallying from off the pace and was over the top of him quickly. He stuck on for second but was a clear second best. His second start on dirt and with the extra distance he raced very well setting him up for another move forward.
Strengths and Concerns
Strengths:
Chunk of Gold has always shown talent from his first race and has progressed nicely in his three year old season. He has proven versatile with a six furlong debut win and the ability to stretch out as the distances have progressed. He has also proven himself over different surfaces which is a sign of a good horse.
Chunk has overcome trouble and traffic in his starts. He will need this attribute in the always difficult to navigate KY Derby 20 horse field.
Connections are under the radar here but I feel are more than capable of winning this race. Trainer Ethan West is young and hungry and proven capable with a good horse. Jockey Loveberry nearly won this race two years ago. They will help his price but will have him ready to fire on race day.
Concerns:
Chunk of Gold will likely be off the pace here which can always lead to difficulty. After being close to a quick pace in his last prep he may need to be further back to produce his best run.
Chunk of Gold needs to be faster to beat the top horses here. He has paired up 92 BSF in his last two starts but will need to be much faster to win this race if the top ones fire their best shots. He is a nice horse but may not be fast enough.
Expert Opinions and Odds
Chunk of Gold is a horse I have been interested in from the start of the Triple Crown Prep season. I liked him in the Risen Star (check the video) at a big price and he has been up to out running his odds all year. His LA Derby was solid he just didn’t get the right trip and was 2nd best. I think even though he is one of the best stories of this Derby his odds will be over 25/1 in this race. I think his style and potential to navigate this big field gives him upside in all types of bets but especially in vertical wagers. I think he will be moving forward in the stretch, needs a trip but if he moves forward could be right on the wire. He is a longshot that has some teeth in this Derby.
Conclusion
For my money Chunk of Gold is the best story for this year’s Kentucky Derby. He was purchased for $2500 and right away was talented and progressive. His connections are sharp and solid. His trainer is a young father with a passion for the game. The horse has overcome adversity in his races and has progressed very quickly along this Derby trail. He is impossible not to support for all those reasons, plus he’s going to be long on the tote board. Use Chunk of Gold in your bets for this Derby and maybe grab a chunk of money, LETS GO CHUNK!
Kentucky Derby Contender Profiles
Journalism – Sandman – Sovereignty – Burnham Square – Luxor Cafe – Tappan Street – Citizen Bull – Tiztastic – Coal Battle – Rodriguez – American Promise – Final Gambit – Grande – East Avenue – Publisher – Chunk of Gold – Owen Almighty – Flying Mohawk
For quick hitting info on all 2025 Kentucky Derby horses…
