Kentucky Derby an Option for Walking Thunder

The owner of undefeated Walking Thunder, Phoenix Ladies Thoroughbreds, will consider a start in the Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve (G1) should the Dubai-based 3-year-old continue to progress.

After three impressive wins at Meydan Racecourse in as many starts, Walking Thunder is preparing to start in the UAE Two Thousand Guineas Sponsored by Al Tayer Motors (G3) Feb. 7 at Meydan. The son of Violence , trained by Ahmad Bin Harmash, won a conditions race named the UAE Two Thousand Guineas Trial Sponsored by Strata Jan. 10.

Meydan closes out its series of races for 3-year-olds with the UAE Derby Sponsored by The Saeed & Mohammed Al Naboodah Group (G2) March 30. That race awards qualifying points in the main Road to the Kentucky Derby to the top four finishers (100-40-20-10).

"Walking Thunder has been a bit of a flag-bearer for us," said Phoenix Ladies Thoroughbreds' Pamela Cordina. "We knew he was a good horse, but he's proving a bit better than that. He'll run in the UAE Two Thousand Guineas before heading to the UAE Derby on World Cup Night.

"We've not yet discussed having a go at the Kentucky Derby, but I guess it would be the logical step if all goes to plan. From the beginning we said we wanted the syndicate to take our members to some of the biggest racing events in the world and it doesn't get bigger than the Derby, so we'll see."

Bred in Florida by Golden Legacy Stable, Walking Thunder is the first starter out of winning Street Boss  mare Street Show. Alessandro Marconi went to $42,000 to purchase Walking Thunder for his current owner from the Q Bar J Thoroughbreds consignment at the 2018 Ocala Breeders' Sales Co. Spring Sale of 2-Year-Olds in Training.