Kentucky Derby Maiden Watch: Chad Brown saddles two winners

Trainer Chad Brown has come close to winning the Kentucky Derby (G1), finishing second with Good Magic (2018) and Sierra Leone (2024). First prize has proven elusive, but that may change in 2025.

Brown already has undefeated Hopeful (G1) winner Chancer McPatrick in his barn, and his roster of possible Derby contenders grew by two with the victories of Praetor and Aviator Gui in a pair of one-mile maiden special weights at Aqueduct last week.

Praetor debuted in a six-furlong maiden special weight on Aug. 3 at Saratoga, finishing a distant third behind Ferocious, who returned to run a close second in the Hopeful. This promising showing against tough competition stamped Praetor as the 5-4 favorite to win his second start at Aqueduct last Friday, and the bay colt didn’t disappoint.

Unlike in his debut, when he endured a troubled start and trailed the field early, Praetor got away cleanly and set the pace while stretching out over one mile. He carved out splits of :23.36, :47.05, and 1:11.46 while leading by half a length, then blazed his penultimate furlong in a swift :11.82 to open up a 3 1/2-length lead.

Praetor did grow a bit leg-weary in the final furlong, which he clocked in :12.86. A late charge from Sovereignty made the finish close, but Praetor held on to prevail by a neck in the strong time of 1:36.14.

As a son of five-time leading North American sire Into Mischief (the sire of Kentucky Derby winners Authentic and Mandaloun) out of a mare by two-time Horse of the Year Curlin, Praetor has the breeding to factor on the Road to the Kentucky Derby. Perhaps his pedigree is geared slightly more toward speed than stamina (dam Curlin’s Approval won multiple graded stakes as a sprinter/miler), but speed is often the key to success in the Kentucky Derby. Keep a close eye on Praetor as autumn and winter unfold.

As for Aviator Gui, he ran a bit slower than his stablemate when taking an off-the-turf contest last Saturday, clocking 1:38.23 after launching a last-to-first rally into hot early fractions of :22.95 and :46.02. A decelerating pace helped his chances, as the final half-mile elapsed in :52.21. But the track was damp (labeled good), and that may have contributed to the modest final time.

In any case, Aviator Gui won by one length and likely has room for improvement over longer distances. He’s a son of Uncle Mo out of a Tapit mare, and these bloodlines are packed with stamina. Uncle Mo has sired Kentucky Derby winner Nyquist and Belmont (G1) hero Mo Donegal, while Tapit is responsible for Belmont winners Tonalist, Creator, Tapwrit, and Essential Quality. Don’t be surprised if Aviator Gui turns up on the Road to the Kentucky Derby in the not-too-distant future.

A few other winners from last week are worth mentioning. At Santa Anita, the third time was the charm for Kalea Bay, a son of Authentic conditioned by six-time Kentucky Derby-winning trainer Bob Baffert. Third and second in his first two starts, the $700,000 yearling acquisition made short work of his third run, smashing a six-furlong maiden special weight at Santa Anita by 8 1/2 lengths.

Kalea Bay ran fast at every stage of the race, clocking early splits of :21.63 and :44.45 on his way to a final time of 1:09.67. Having secured a breakthrough victory, Kalea Bay is likely bound for stakes company, and a late-season Kentucky Derby prep like the Los Alamitos Futurity (G2) isn’t out of the question.

At Churchill Downs, Hall of Fame trainer Steve Asmussen sent out a pair of winners. Perfect Magic, a third-time starter by Maclean’s Music, survived an early duel to win a 5 1/2-furlong maiden special weight by two lengths in 1:03.98.

The following day, Extradition likewise broke through in his third start, sticking close to the pace in a one-mile maiden special weight before taking over to win by 1 1/2 lengths. The son of 2017 Horse of the Year Gun Runner reached the finish line in 1:39.87 over a sloppy track.

Also at Churchill Downs, Terrapin Station debuted victorious in a six-furlong maiden special weight on Saturday, tracking a modest pace in third place before taking over to score by two lengths in 1:11.48. The son of Unified is trained by Dale Romans, who has saddled Kentucky Derby third-place finishers Paddy O’Prado (2010) and Dullahan (2012).

Top maiden winner of the week: Praetor

Honorable mention: Kalea Bay