By PTF
Introduction
Great story alert! Flying Mohawk is owned by former baseball player Jayson Werth, who will no doubt bring a lot of additional attention to this year’s Kentucky Derby. Werth, who also owned last year’s Derby runner Dornoch in partnership, created a sensational viral video (big assist ABR) when that runner went on to win the Belmont Stakes (big assist Mindframe).
As for the horse himself, he has won two of his six races alongside two runner-up spots and has yet to run on the dirt. Despite some solid bits of form, including his hard-charging second last out, he is a massive longshot. In the current international market, he is friendless.He is currently priced up at 50-1. My best guess is that he’ll be that long or longer on the day with bookies, but the story around him and his cool name will mean he’s shorter on the tote win market.
Racing Record and Notable Performances
He has contested two stakes races in his career so far, namely the Grade 2 Pilgrim Stakes at Belmont At The Big A in September of last year finishing fifth and most recently finishing second behind Final Gambit in the Grade 3 Jeff Ruby Steaks at Turfway Park.
His maiden win last fall did come under the twin spires of Churchill Downs, albeit on the turf. He’s done well enough that he’d have to be considered a big contender against three-year-old turfers in the American Turf, but he’s never raced on dirt and that pretty much cements his longshot status.
Pedigree and Connections
- Sire: Karakontie (JPN)
- Dam & Damsire: Bonbons Fleur (by Twirling Candy)
- Owner: Two Eight Racing, Berry Family Racing LLC and Kaleta Racing
- Trainer: D. Whitworth Beckman
- Jockey: Joe Ramos
His sire Karakontie was a top turf miler winning 2 Gr.1 races, the Poule d’Essai des Poulains, and the Breeders’ Cup Mile and has sired exclusively turf horses since his retirement with Sole Volante being the only exception. Couple that with this being Flying Mohawk’s first start on dirt and it’s plain to see that this will be no easy task.
Dam Bonbons Fleur raced three times, well beaten in each so nothing there to speak of. His second dam, America’s Blossom, by Quiet American, did win on dirt, and has dropped three winners from four to make the races.
Dam sire Twirling Candy basically gets horses that can run on anything. No surprise for a son of Candy Ride for whom the same can be said.
Those small positives aside, there are huge questions here when it comes to his blood and his competing at this level.
As for his humans, this will be Whit Beckman’s second Kentucky Derby starter after Honor Marie ran 8th last year, and Jockey Joe Ramos will have his first ever mount in the race.
Final Prep Analysis
- Final Prep Race: G3 Jeff Ruby Steaks at Turfway Park (March 22nd)
- Finishing Position: 2nd out of 12
- Final Time: 1:50.50
- Beyer Speed Figure: 84
Strengths and Concerns
Strengths:
He’s an improving horse and he’s unexposed on the dirt (of course, the second part of that sentence can be spun as a negative as you’ll read in a second).
It’s the Kentucky Derby, and as we’ve seen, anything can happen.
Concerns:
Both the distance and surface are significant question marks, especially when viewed in tandem. He can probably just get 10 on turf but I suspect he’ll be stretched here for stamina.
Class. How fast is he really? The type of figures he runs might get it done in restricted turf races or Grade 3s on dirt, but is he going to improve enough to throw down the minimum 100 speed fig he probably needs to win this?
Expert Opinions and Odds
He’s 50-1 internationally and Nick made him the same on our ITM line. I think he’ll be bet down from that in the win pool for the media attention and fun name and value wise to me I’d want more like 100-1. If you like him, consider, in addition to a win bet (because if you like him you can’t NOT cash if he wins), some sort exotics inclusion (doubles, exactas) because I think he’ll pay outsized in those pools relative to the win market.
Conclusion
In the days before Rich Strike, I’d have been more dismissive here because, honestly, he’s a tough horse to make given all he has going against him in terms of the aforementioned questions. He’d be a helluva story, that’s for sure. In terms of wagering, however, with all the better closers signed on, I’m going to have to let him kick sand in my face.
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…
