Omaha Beach Affirms Porter's Decision to Buy Colt

Rick Porter's decision in 2017 to purchase a War Front  yearling that had gone unsold on a final bid of $625,000 looks most prescient now that the colt, Omaha Beach, is headed to Louisville, Ky., as one of the probable favorites for the Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve (G1).

Omaha Beach defeated Improbable in the April 13 Arkansas Derby (G1) at Oaklawn Park by one length, picking up 100 Road to the Kentucky Derby qualifying points to rank second on that final list. He previously earned 37.5 points with a victory in a division of the Rebel Stakes (G2) in a close finish over champion Game Winner.

Trained by Hall of Famer Richard Mandella, Omaha Beach has won his past three starts after going winless in his first four races. He placed in his three starts last year—all maiden races on turf. Moved to the dirt, he finished second in his 2019 debut despite stumbling at the start, then posted a nine-length score Feb. 2 at Santa Anita Park.

Omaha Beach was one of 14 yearlings Porter purchased in mid-2017 to replenish his Fox Hill Farm stable after finding out that the bout of cancer from which he had been suffering for two years was in remission.

Purchased privately from Eaton Sales after not attaining his reserve on a final bid of $625,000 at the 2017 Keeneland September Yearling Sale, Omaha Beach is out of the winning Seeking the Gold mare Charming, making him a half brother to champion Take Charge Brandi and a grandson of grade 1 winner Take Charge Lady, dam of champion Will Take Charge  and grade 1 winner Take Charge Indy.

At the time of purchase, Porter told BloodHorse's Lenny Shulman he hoped the colt turned out as well as Hard Spun , also acquired from Eaton Sales after failing to attain his reserve price. Trained by Larry Jones, Hard Spun went on to be a grade 1 winner who placed in the Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes (G1) and earned more than $2.6 million. Jones picked out Hard Spun and also selected Omaha Beach.

"The last RNA I bought from Reiley McDonald was Hard Spun," Porter said. "(Trainer) Larry (Jones) thought this War Front colt was the best physical in the sale, but he didn't vet, which was probably why he was an RNA. So we sent the images to (Dr.) Larry Bramlage and he said the issue would heal up, so I made Reiley an offer and we bought him. The pedigree is unbelievable, but the vet issue knocked the big players out. We'll find out how smart I am. Or not."

Porter parsed out his 2017 yearling purchases among Jones, Mark Casse, and Richard Mandella, with the latter getting the War Front colt.

"Richard is already in the Hall of Fame, but I told him there's a higher Hall of Fame, for trainers who can win the Kentucky Derby with a War Front," Porter said at the time.

"I thought he was the best horse in the sale, and I'm not going to back up on that now," Jones said April 15, laughing. "For me, he's the one that checked all the boxes that needed to be checked."

Although he selected the colt out of the sale and would have liked to have him in his barn, Jones said the decision was made to send Omaha Beach to Mandella in California because of the strong possibility the colt would prefer turf to dirt.

"No doubt, Mr. Mandella is a great turf trainer, as well as a great dirt trainer, and in California they have the best turf courses and they don't miss a lot of races there because of rain," Jones said. "I definitely had no problem with him going to Mr. Mandella and I got to train him a little at Keeneland last year before Mr. Mandella got him. We also knew he was going to be a little later about coming around, and Mr. Mandella, Mr. Porter, and I am great with that. He looked like a horse that was going to need plenty of patience and time."

While in Arkansas for his Derby prep races, Omaha Beach has been housed in Jones' barn and will be stabled with Jones' horses at Churchill Downs.

"I'm proud to get to be a little part of it," Jones. "At Churchill he will be under the care of Mr. Mandella and his team, but we all get to stay together and enjoy it. Mr. Mandella will be the one who has all the (Derby week) pressure."