Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Chunk of Gold

Homestretch rallies carried Chunk of Gold to runner-up finishes in the Louisiana Derby (G2) and Risen Star (G2) on the Road to the Kentucky Derby, earning the gray colt a spot in the 2025 Kentucky Derby (G1) starting gate.

The Louisiana Derby took place over 1 3/16 miles, only slightly shorter than the 1 1/4-mile Kentucky Derby. But Chunk of Gold lost some ground down the Louisiana Derby homestretch, so it’s worth analyzing his pedigree to gauge if the Kentucky Derby distance is within his wheelhouse.

RELATED: Kentucky Derby News and Notes

Chunk of Gold comes from the second crop of foals sired by Preservationist. As a racehorse, Preservationist achieved a high level of success running long on dirt; though slow to mature, at age six, he won the 1 1/8-mile Woodward (G1) and 1 1/4-mile Suburban (G2) against tough competition.

While Preservationist has yet to enjoy resounding success at stud, he’s sired a few capable stakes performers. They include Ican, third in the one-mile Jerome S. on the Road to the Kentucky Derby; Thrilla, third in the 1 1/16-mile Kitten’s Joy S. on turf; and Diakonissa, winner of two sprint stakes for West Virginia-breds at Charles Town.

One of Preservationist’s most accomplished runners to date is Band of Gold, a filly from his first crop of foals. She won the 1 1/16-mile Martha Washington S. on the Road to the Kentucky Oaks.

RELATED: Kentucky Derby Results

Band of Gold was produced by the Cairo Prince mare Play for Gold, who is also the dam of Chunk of Gold. Thus, Band of Gold and Chunk of Gold are full siblings.

Play for Gold wasn’t nearly as fast a racehorse as her stakes-caliber foals; her lone start yielded a seventh-place finish in a Keeneland maiden special weight. She’s obviously proven superior as a broodmare. Three of her foals have hit the races so far, and all have visited the winner’s circle. In addition to Chunk of Gold and Band of Gold, Play for Gold has produced Coexist (by Creative Cause), a four-time claiming and starter allowance winner sprinting on dirt.

Play for Gold’s success as a broodmare isn’t surprising since she boasts a classy pedigree packed with talented racehorses.

RELATED: Kentucky Derby History

Let’s start with her sire, Cairo Prince. While not a Grade 1 winner, Cairo Prince dominated the one-mile Nashua (G2) and 1 1/16-mile Holy Bull (G2) in addition to finishing second against future champion Honor Code in the 1 1/8-mile Remsen (G2).

At stud, Cairo Prince has carved out a productive career as a regular source of stakes winners over a variety of surfaces and distances. His best foals include Cairo Consort, winner of the Sweetest Chant (G3) on turf and a champion two-year-old filly in Canada; My Boy Prince, a five-time stakes winner over distances up to 1 1/8 miles on synthetic and a champion two-year-old male in Canada; Tony Ann and Honey Pants, a pair of graded stakes-winning turf sprinters; Kiss Today Goodbye, Dean Martini, and Cairo Cat, all graded stakes winners running long on dirt; and New and Improved and Cairo Memories, graded stakes-winning grass routers.

Cairo Prince is following the example set by his sire, Pioneerof the Nile, runner-up in the 2009 Kentucky Derby on dirt and a Grade 1 winner on synthetic. Pioneerof the Nile is best known for siring 2015 Triple Crown winner American Pharoah, but his runners achieved high levels of success over many distances and surfaces.

RELATED: Kentucky Derby Workout Videos

Meanwhile, the dam of Play the Gold is Gold N Shaft, a daughter of long-winded 2003 Horse of the Year Mineshaft. Gold N Shaft never raced, but she achieved some renown for foaling My Boy Jack, winner of the Lexington (G3) and Southwest (G3) racing 1 1/16 miles and the fifth-place finisher in the 2018 Kentucky Derby (G1).

As for Mineshaft, he won four Grade 1 races over distances from 1 1/8 miles to 1 1/4 miles, and he’s carved out a long and productive stud career siring stakes winners over a variety of distances. The best include Saudi Cup (G1) winner Senor Buscador, Florida Derby (G1) winner Dialed In, Clark H. (G1) hero and Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) runner-up Effinex, multiple Grade 1 winner It’s Tricky, and Cigar Mile H. (G1) hero True Timber.

So what does all of this mean for Chunk of Gold? Many of his closest relatives have enjoyed their best success racing 1 1/8 miles or less, so even though Preservationist won over 1 1/4 miles, the Kentucky Derby distance might be just a little farther than Chunk of Gold wants to run.