Zandon: Kentucky Derby contender profile
Zandon winning Blue Grass S. (G1) at Keeneland (Photo by Coady Photography/Keeneland)
May 2nd, 2022
Zandon exits an impressive win in the Blue Grass (G1) at Keeneland, closing last-to-first in the final three furlongs to score going away by 2 1/2 lengths. After placing in his first two stakes attempts, including a troubled third in a deep Risen Star (G2) at Fair Grounds, the dark bay Kentucky-bred put it all together nicely last time. Zandon registered strong Brisnet Speed (103) and Late Pace (114) ratings and appears to be still developing. The late runner will need to get the trip in the Kentucky Derby (G1), but Zandon has a lot going for him and may compete for favoritism.
Watch #KyDerby contender Zandon breeze 5 furlongs on Friday under the Twin Spires. pic.twitter.com/UOjOCr88I2
— Kentucky Derby (@KentuckyDerby) April 29, 2022
Zandon Speed Figures
Top Brisnet Speed: 103, Blue Grass (G1)
Top Brisnet Late Pace: 114, Blue Grass (G1)
Zandon Pedigree
Sire: Upstart
Zandon is from the second crop of 2015 Holy Bull (G2) winner Upstart, who was unplaced in the Kentucky Derby. Upstart also has top Kentucky Oaks (G1) contender Kathleen O, and Upstart is by Flatter, who has sired a pair of champions and is a son of 1992 Belmont S. (G1) winner A.P. Indy. Zandon is a great-grandson of 1977 Triple Crown winner Seattle Slew on his sire side.
Dam: Memories Prevail
Zandon is the first foal out of the unraced Memories Prevail, a daughter of Grade 1 winner Creative Cause, whose first foals were born in 2014. Zandon is the initial stakes winner for Creative Cause as a broodmare sire, and Creative Cause is by the great Storm Cat.
Zandon Connections
Owner: Jeff Drown
A $170,000 yearling purchase, Zandon will be the first Kentucky Derby starter for Jeff Drown of St. Cloud, Minnesota.
Trainer: Chad Brown
Chad Brown will send out his seventh Kentucky Derby runner. A former assistant to Bobby Frankel, Brown finished fourth with his first Derby starter (Normandy Invasion in 2013) and counts 2018 runner-up Good Magic as his best result.
Jockey: Flavien Prat
Flavien Prat will bring an outstanding record to his fifth Kentucky Derby start, having recorded a win with Country House (2019), a second with Hot Rod Charlie (2021), and a third with Battle of Midway (2017) in his first appearance.
Learn about all of the Kentucky Derby Contenders and the lead up to the Fastest Two Minutes in Sports here on TwinSpires.com
