Kumin Buys Into Audible, Justify

Sol Kumin's Head of Plains Partners is now part-owner of GI Kentucky Derby contenders Audible (Into Mischief) and Justify (Scat Daddy), Kumin confirmed Wednesday. In a story originally reported by Daily Racing Form, he joins regular partners WinStar Farm, China Horse Club and SF Racing on both horses. Kumin also has a stake in Derby hopefuls Catholic Boy (More Than Ready) with his Madaket Stables and My Boy Jack (Creative Cause) with his Monomoy Stables outfit.

Audible, an impressive winner of the GII Holy Bull S. Feb. 3 at Gulfstream Park, returns as the morning line favorite in this Saturday's GI Florida Derby, where he'll face Catholic Boy and seven others. The $500,000 Fasig-Tipton March graduate currently sits tied for 28th in the Derby points standings and needs another strong showing to lock up a trip to Louisville.

Justify, a 'TDN Rising Star', has been the talk of the racing world since his scintillating debut win Feb. 18 at Santa Anita, and the chestnut colt followed up with an equally impressive allowance score going two turns there Mar. 11. The $500,000 Keeneland September pickup is being pointed for a start in the GI Arkansas Derby Apr. 14 at Oaklawn. With zero qualifying points in the bank, Justify likely needs to win that prep to secure himself a spot in the Derby gate.

“I have partnered with WinStar, China Horse Club and SF Racing many times in the past, and they are wonderful partners and good friends,” Kumin told TDN. “We have had success campaigning horses like Good Samaritan, American Anthem and Yoshida together and continue to do so. About six weeks or so ago, we were able to do a deal on these two exciting colts and are very much looking forward to seeing them run in the Florida and Arkansas Derbies. I think both of these horses at this point are legitimate Derby contenders, but they need to continue to move forward, stay healthy, and get lucky.”

Audible and Justify rank seventh and ninth, respectively, in the latest edition of the TDN Derby Top 12.