Stewart Not Making Changes in Derby

With his record of one win and four seconds in nine lifetime starts, Tom's Ready fits the profile of Dallas Stewart’s prototypical Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Bramds (gr. I) horse.

After all, the Churchill Downs-based trainer had back-to-back runner-up finishers in the classic, with 35-1 shot Golden Soul in 2013 and 38-1 Commanding Curve  the following year, and he sent out Tale of Verve to finish second behind last year’s Preakness Stakes (gr. I) triumph of eventual Triple Crown winner American Pharoah  .

Owned by the GMB Stable of New Orleans Saints and Pelicans owner Tom Benson, Tom’s Ready has earned $302,220, more than double his $145,000 purchase price from the Taylor Made Sales Agency consignment to the Fasig-Tipton Saratoga August yearling sale.

Bred in Pennsylvania by Blackstone Farm, Tom’s Ready comes into the Derby off a second to Derby contender Gun Runner in the Twinspires.com Louisiana Derby (gr. II). He was second in Churchill's Street Sense Stakes after breaking his maiden at Churchill in his third career start last fall. In his 2016 debut, the colt was second in the LeComte Stakes (gr. III) at Fair Grounds Race Track and Slots.

In addition to his close finishes, Stewart, 56, has considerable success in the classics during his 12-year stint as assistant to Hall of Fame trainer D. Wayne Lukas. Since branching out on his own, he has saddled more than 700 winners and horses in his stable have earned more than $39.7 million. Among one of his best horses was 2006 Kentucky Oaks (gr. I) winner Lemons Forever.

In an effort to get over the Derby hump, Stewart said he is not doing anything differently than he has in the past.

“I’m not making a lot of changes,” Stewart said. “I’m not galloping them four miles or working them in all kinds of crazy situations. We’re just doing what I know can get you there.”

In prepping for the Derby, the colt worked five furlongs in 1:01 at Churchill on April 23 and in the third-fastest work among 53 at the distance April 29 went five furlongs in :59 2/5.

“He has trained hard and his workouts have been better one after another. His energy is good. All the things we like," Stewart said. "But it takes a lot of luck. I just have to hope he is the fastest on Saturday.”

Now age 6, Golden Soul has returned to the U.S. after making two starts earlier this year in Dubai and is at WinStar Farm. Commanding Curve, now 5, is still with Stewart and will run in a Derby Day undercard race.