Kentucky Derby Alumni Update for Jan. 4

A few alumni from the 2021 Kentucky Derby were back in action in the last week, including a Derby buzz horse who made a winning return to the races in his first start since the First Saturday in May. Catch up now with the latest action from Kentucky Derby alumni, and find out which Oaks alumni is looking to follow up a winning return with a return to stakes company.

O Besos

Sent off at 3-5 in a Fair Grounds allowance Jan. 2 in his first start since the Run for the Roses, O Besos (5th, 2021 Kentucky Derby) did not forget the affinity for the Fair Grounds dirt that he showed last year. A little tight at the start, he settled toward the rear early. He rallied around the far turn, engaged the leader into the lane, kept fighting inside of Intrepid Heart the length of the stretch as that pair drew eight lengths clear of the rest, and got the bob.

Brooklyn Strong

Brooklyn Strong (15th, 2021 Kentucky Derby) returned in the Alex M. Robb Stakes, going a mile and an eighth against fellow New York-breds. Settled toward the rear, as he customarily does, he was asked with just less than a half mile to go, but did not kick on with a rally. He crossed the wire seventh and last, 14 3/4 lengths behind the winner Sea Foam.

Coach

Coach (9th, 2021 Kentucky Oaks), who won her allowance return last month, returns to stakes company Jan. 8 at Oaklawn in the Pippin Stakes. Named the 9-5 morning line favorite in the field of seven, she will break from the rail. Coach’s foes include Wellington Wonder and W W Fitzy, third and fourth in her allowance win, as well as Breeze Rider, who has won stakes at Fair Grounds in her last two starts.