Publisher - Kentucky Derby Context

Still winless from seven starts, Publisher stamped his Kentucky Derby (G1) ticket with a rallying second in the Arkansas Derby (G1), improving upon a troubled sixth in the Southwest (G3) and fourth in the Rebel (G2). Only three maidens have won the Kentucky Derby, none since Brokers Tip in 1933, and the last 12 to compete finished eighth or worse. But Publisher stepped up significantly while adding blinkers and stretching to 1 1/8 miles last time, and he will look to make a serious impact from off the pace in the 1 1/4-mile Kentucky Derby.

RELATED: Kentucky Derby News and Notes

OWNER: Publisher is campaigned by Gus King and the Estate of Brereton C. Jones. The bay colt will be the first Kentucky Derby starter for King. Jones, the former Governor of Kentucky and a noted horseman, co-owned King Russell, 15th in the 2023 Kentucky Derby.

TRAINER: North America’s all-time leading trainer by wins, Steve Asmussen, has won nearly 11,000 races since his first in July 1986. He seems destined to eventually win the Kentucky Derby, but it remains one of the few major dirt races to elude him, compiling a 26-0-3-2 mark. A former jockey, the Hall of Famer, finished second with Epicenter, Lookin at Lee, and Nehro, and his third-place finishers, Curlin and Gun Runner, went on to be named Horse of the Year. Asmussen has compiled more wins at Churchill Downs than anyone, and the 59-year-old horseman seeks to become the sixth living trainer to win all three Triple Crown races. He will also saddle Tiztastic in this year’s Kentucky Derby.

JOCKEY: Irad Ortiz Jr. will pick up the mount on Publisher. Ranked first nationally by wins every year since 2018, Ortiz has won the Eclipse Award for leading jockey five times in the last seven years. He’s guided a pair of Belmont (G1) winners, and recorded a pair of seconds in the Preakness (G1), but the 32-year-old Puerto Rico native has yet to make an impact in the Kentucky Derby, recording eight unplaced finishes since his first appearance in 2014. 

BREEDER: Bred in Kentucky by the late Brereton C. Jones, Publisher brought a final bid of $600,000 from King when selling for a yearling at the 2023 Fasig-Tipton Saratoga August sale. Jones bred 1983 Kentucky Derby runner-up Desert Wine in partnership and was the sole breeder of 2022 third-placer Zandon. He’s also the breeder of Kentucky Derby starter Chunk of Gold this year.

SIRE: The first Triple Crown winner in 37 years, American Pharoah was named the 2015 Horse of the Year after romping in the Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1). A champion first and second-crop sire, American Pharoah’s offspring have yet to make an impact in the Triple Crown. The popular stallion will try to change the narrative with a pair of starters in the 2025 Kentucky Derby field, Publisher and Japanese invader Luxor Café. 

DAM: Publisher is the only foal to race out of the stakes-winning Proud Citizen mare Indian Pride, a half-sister to Canadian Horse of the Year Biofuel and champion Canadian two-year-old filly Tu Endie Wei. By Gone West, Grade 2 winner Proud Citizen finished second in the Kentucky Derby and third in the Preakness in 2002. He hasn’t been a factor in Triple Crown races as a broodmare sire. Proud Citizen is best known for siring Kentucky Oaks (G1) winners Believe You Can and Proud Spell.

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