By Christina Bossinakis
Early Kentucky Derby favorite Muth faced several twists and turns earlier in the 2024 season. Despite winning the GII San Vincente Stakes in January and the GI Arkansas Derby in March, Muth was precluded from running on the First Saturday in May due to his trainer's forced exclusion from the Classic over the past three seasons. Shipped to Pimlico two weeks later for the GI Preakness, the colt spiked a temperature which forced him out of the second jewel of the Triple Crown, shuttling him to the sidelines. Given plenty of time, he returned to the worktab June 10 and the $2-million OBS March topper began his steady preparation for this first race in five months.
Breaking sharply from post 3, the 1-5 choice settled behind Pony Express (Gun Runner), who carved out an opening quarter mile in :22.57. Passing the half-mile pole, the chestnut inched closer as the pacesetter began his steady retreat and soon hit the front. While stablemate Imagination challenged briefly to his outside in the stretch, Muth proved too good, spurting away late en route to a geared down two length win over closer Indispensable with Imagination third.
“I asked a lot of him today, but he responded really well,” said winning rider Juan Hernandez. “I think all the credit goes to Bob [Baffert] because they were putting a lot of work towards this horse. In the race this horse showed up.”
Aboard all seven of Muth's lifetime starts, Hernandez continued, “He is a different horse [now] because when he started out, he was very fast, but he didn't want to settle. The last couple races he has relaxed really well, you know, he rode very sharp today. He stayed behind the pace just like I asked of him. He is a very special horse.”
Earning TDN Rising stardom following a scintillating debut at Santa Anita last June, he had to settle for second behind stablemate Prince of Monaco in the GIII Best Pal Stakes a Del Mar In August but rebounded to take the GI American Pharoah Sakes back at The Great Race Place in October. Well supported for his seasonal finale, he was second behind subsequent juvenile champion Fierceness in the GI Breeders' Cup in November.
Hoppa, who RNA'd for $1.9 million at the Fasig-Tipton November Sale last season, is also responsible for a yearling filly by Tacitus and a full-brother to Muth foaled earlier this year.
Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV.
MUTH is back! #3 MUTH ($2.40) was challenged coming to the stretch but was way too much for the field to win the $125,000 Shared Belief Stakes at Del Mar. The 3yo son of Good Magic has now won 5 of his 7 career races. @JJHernandezS19 was in the irons for Bob Baffert. pic.twitter.com/X1YRugAWlp
— FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) September 1, 2024
Not a subscriber? Click here to sign up for the daily PDF or alerts.
