Gormley firms for 2017 Kentucky Derby after Sham Stakes win
2017 Kentucky Derby hopeful Gormley has rocketed into calculations following its narrow win in the $100,000 Sham Stakes at Santa Anita on Sunday.
The three-year-old edged out fellow Derby contender American Anthem by a neck as they battled down the Santa Anita stretch.
Gormley ($5.20 at Bet365) was ridden by three-time Kentucky Derby-winner Victor Espinoza who believes it will only get better this preparation having finished seventh in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile prior.
“I expected him to run the way he ran today,” Espinoza said. “I know he’s still improving but I think he only gets better and better.”
Trainer John Shirreffs was happy with the performance from Gormley, which is now into $17 for the 2017 Kentucky Derby behind current favourite Classic Empire.
“He’s still young. You never know what they’re going to do so it’s always interesting,” Shirreffs said.
“He gets away quickly, but then he checks himself as he gets into the race and he relaxes.
“It was great to see him pick it back up again and get it done.”
American Anthem didn’t lose any admirers and champion jockey Mike Smith was impressed with the display from the $26 Kentucky Derby elect.
“For only his second time out, that was pretty impressive,” Smith said.
“If we’d been on the outside, I think that probably would have helped a little bit getting beat a half a nose.”
The pair put 13 lengths on Big Hit in third place and winning owner Jerry Moss (co-founder of A&M Records) could have another Derby winner on his hands after he raced Giacomo to win in 2005.
“This type of thing never gets old,” Moss said. “He’s got a lot of heart and I know he’ll go further than this.
“This was a beautiful horse race and the fans got a thriller.”
The Kentucky Derby runs on Sunday, May 7 at Churchill Downs, Kentucky.
2017 Kentucky Derby entry leaderboard
#1 – Classic Empire
#2 – Gormley
#3 – Practical Joke
#4 – Gunnevera
#5 – Lookin’ At Lee
#6 – Mastery
#7 – Mo Town
#8 – McCraken
#9 – El Areeb
#10 – Wild Shot
#11 – No Dozing
#12 – Klimt
#13 – Hot Sean
#14 – Dangerfield
#15 – Syndergaard
#16 – Irap
#17 – Bonus Points
#18 – American Anthem
#19 – Straight Fire
#20 – Favorable Outcome
#21 – Recruiting Ready
#22 – Takaful
#23 – Win With Pride
#24 – Warrior’s Club
#25 – True Timber
#26 – Big Hit
#27 – Midnight Pleasure
#28 – J Boys Echo
#29 – Big Gray Rocket
#30 – Bobby Abu Dhabi