Kentucky Derby contender profile: Shared Sense

A series of unfavorable circumstances may have prevented Shared Sense from showing his best during the winter and spring, but the improving bay colt put all those troubles behind him when rallying to victory in the Indiana Derby (G3) on July 8 at Indiana Grand, stamping his credentials as a force to reckon with on the Road to the Kentucky Derby.

A Godolphin homebred trained by Brad Cox, Shared Sense first showed signs of quality as a juvenile. After finishing fourth behind future Kentucky Jockey Club (G2) winner Silver Prospector in his debut sprinting, Shared Sense crossed the wire second in a pair of maiden routes at Churchill Downs, technically winning the second via disqualification.

But Shared Sense couldn’t catch a break in his initial attempts against stakes company. A speed-favoring muddy track prevented the stretch-running colt from factoring in the Smarty Jones S. at Oaklawn Park, and after rebounding to win a 1-mile allowance race at Oaklawn, Shared Sense could only finish sixth when switching to turf for the War Chant S. at Churchill Downs.

Of course, patience has a tendency to pay off, and Shared Sense’s luck has finally reversed. After rallying to finish second in a slow-paced allowance race at Churchill Downs, Shared Sense stepped up in class and distance for the 1 1/8-mile Indiana Derby, a Road to the Kentucky Derby prep race awarding 20 qualification points to the winner.

Favored at 28-10 with Florent Geroux in the saddle, Shared Sense dropped back to the tail of the field as usual, five to six lengths behind early splits of :23.93 and :47.69. But after rallying on the far turn, Shared Sense shifted out for the stretch drive and finished resolutely, sprinting the final furlong in a quick :12.23 to pull away and score by three lengths in 1:49.46.

A son of 2007 Kentucky Derby champion Street Sense out of a mare by 2006 Preakness (G1) winner Bernardini, Shared Sense is bred top and bottom to improve with maturity and thrive over classic distances. His powerful finish in the Indiana Derby hints Shared Sense has turned a corner just in time to factor in the postponed Kentucky Derby, a welcome development for Godolphin as the stable enters its third decade in pursuit of an elusive victory in the Run for the Roses.