Chunk of Gold - Kentucky Derby Context

Chunk of Gold, a debut maiden winner on Turfway’s Tapeta in mid-December, validated his Kentucky Derby candidacy with a runner-up finish in the Louisiana Derby (G2) at Fair Grounds. And while many of his Kentucky Derby rivals were high-priced purchases, including a pair who sold for at least $1 million, Chunk of Gold has proved to be a terrific bargain after being acquired for $2,500 as a yearling. The progressing gray colt has finished second in three consecutive stakes, and Chunk of Gold is eligible to get first run on the deep closers as a projected midpack stalker.

RELATED: Kentucky Derby News and Notes

OWNER: Terry L. Stephens co-owned O’Besos, who wound up fifth in the 2021 Kentucky Derby, and Chunk of Gold will be his second starter.

TRAINER: Based at Turfway Park, Ethan West finds himself on the national stage for the first time via Chunk of Gold. The 32-year-old Indiana native opened his own stable in 2018 and recorded his lone graded stakes victory in 2023. 

JOCKEY: Runner-up on Two Phil’s in the 2023 Kentucky Derby, Jareth Loveberry will make his second appearance in the Run for the Roses. The 37-year-old Michigan native launched his riding career in 2005, winning titles at Arlington Park and Canterbury Downs, and he’s finished second in the Fair Grounds jockey standings the last two seasons.

BREEDER: Chunk of Gold was bred in Kentucky by the late Brereton C. Jones, the former Governor of Kentucky and a noted horseman. His top Kentucky Derby performer, 1983 runner-up Desert Wine, was bred in partnership, and Jones was the sole breeder of 2022 third-placer Zandon. Jones also bred (and his estate co-owns) Publisher, who earned a spot in this year's Kentucky Derby by finishing second in the Arkansas Derby (G1).

RELATED: Kentucky Derby Future Wager

SIRE: Grade 1-winning millionaire Preservationist, a son of Arch, was imported to Korea last year after getting off to a slow start at stud. Chunk of Gold, who hails from his second crop, will be Preservationist’s first starter in a Triple Crown race and will try to provide him with a second graded stakes winner.

DAM: Out of the Cairo Prince mare Play for Gold, a half-sister to multiple Grade 3 winner My Boy Jack, who finished fifth as the 6-1 second choice in the 2018 Kentucky Derby, Chunk of Gold is a sibling to stakes winner Band of Gold, who was on the Kentucky Oaks (G1) path last year. Cairo Prince, a 14-year-old son of 2009 Kentucky Derby runner-up Pioneerof the Nile, has yet to make an impact as a relatively young broodmare sire.

RELATED: Kentucky Derby Betting

Join us for our upcoming LIVE blogs!

April 26 | LIVE open discussion with our experts before, during, and after the post position draw at Churchill Downs on opening night.

May 1-3 | LIVE coverage of Thurby, Oaks, and Kentucky Derby Day with exclusive up-to-date all-access trackside coverage. LIVE race odds, including Kentucky Derby odds, picks, entries for all the races, and so much more!

Don't miss a minute of the fun with your backstage pass to everything Kentucky Derby!