Thunder Snow

THUNDER SNOW (IRE) (c, Helmet (Aus)—Eastern Joy {GB}, by Dubai Destination)

O-Godolphin Racing LLC. B-Darley (IRE). T-Saeed bin Suroor. Lifetime Record: G1SW, 8-4-2-0, $1,627,692.

Last Start: 1st, G2 UAE Derby, MEY, Mar. 25.

Accomplishments Include: 1st, G1 Criterium International, STC, Oct. 30, 1st, UAE 2000 Guineas, MEY, Feb. 11.

Thoro-Graph sheet, Equineline PPs

KY Derby Points: 100

Until late last week, Thunder Snow was also under consideration for this Saturday's G1 2000 Guineas in the United Kingdom, yet even though that race is contested in close proximity to trainer Saeed bin Suroor's yard at Newmarket, the UAE Derby victor has shipped to Churchill Downs for the Kentucky Derby instead. Thunder Snow is riding a three-race win streak and his UAE Derby win in the mud was the fastest clocking of that stakes during the Meydan dirt era, but his perceived temperament will contribute to long odds in the Derby betting. At Meydan, Thunder Snow spooked at the large infield video board during pre-race warmups, had trouble handling the turns, and veered and shied when encountering starting gate marks on the track before eking out a nose victory over a field that did not include any other Group 1 winners. This colt will be bin Suroor's seventh runner in the Run for the Roses–his best finish was sixth by China Visit (Red Ransom) in 2000–and jockey Christophe Soumillon has only ridden in one previous Derby, finishing eighth with Mubtaahij (IRE) (Dubawi IRE}) in 2015.