Kentucky Derby 2019 Contenders Mucho, Roadster Back in Winning Form

Kentucky Derby 2019 hopefuls Mucho and Roadster were both part of my original Derby list last September, and they both returned to win their sophomore debuts on Friday, March 1.

Mucho ended his 2-year-old season with a runner-up finish in the Hopeful (G1) at Saratoga, and his optional claiming sprint return at Gulfstream Park on Friday was solid. He broke last before stalking the pace from the inside post under Jose Ortiz, and he crept up, switched out, and inched away to win by a length and a quarter. Bill Mott's colt completed his six panel journey in 1:10.35 and paid $3.00 to win. 

Mucho has yet to compete over a route of ground, and time is running out in regards to the Kentucky Derby. His connections will decide what to do next.

Switching to Santa Anita Park, Bob Baffert's highly regarded colt Roadster cruised home an easy winner over Nolo Contesto in a flat mile optional claiming contest on Friday. This was a very big effort in his first start since a show finish in the Del Mar Futurity (G1) last summer. He looked great breaking his maiden in his career debut from the inside post and is definitely back on track for Derby-winning connections.

Mike Smith guided Roaster to victory in his return and he is definitely going to show up in a Derby points race in the near future.

Mucho photo by Josh Chicorelli

Kentucky Derby 2019 article by Jarrod Horak

You can read all of my Derby blogs on my Kentucky Derby 2019 page, and my annual Triple Crown full card analysis from Churchill Downs, Pimlico Race Course, and Belmont Park will be available on my Runaway Horse Sales page later this spring.