One More Shot: Owen Almighty Back in Derby Field

After originally being pulled from Kentucky Derby (G1) contention following a sixth-place finish in the April 8 Blue Grass Stakes (G1) at Keeneland, Flying Dutchmen Breeding and Racing's Owen Almighty was declared back in the 20-horse field April 16, according to Churchill Downs publicity. "The biggest thing is it's the Kentucky Derby," Flying Dutchmen president Hunter Rankin told BloodHorse while confirming the news Wednesday. "While we know he's going to be a longshot for sure, you don't get many chances at it and we're going to take one more shot with him." In comments given to the Keeneland media team April 10, trainer Brian Lynch expressed concern over the horse's distance capabilities after he pressed the pace in the 1 1/8-mile Blue Grass and faded in the final furlong. At the time, it was reported that the son of Speightstown would reroute to the Pat Day Mile Stakes (G2) on the Derby's May 3 undercard. Owen Almighty had clinched a spot in the Derby field thanks to a 3 1/2-length triumph in the Tampa Bay Derby (G3) and currently sits 12th on the leaderboard with 65 points. Following the Blue Grass, Owen Almighty returned to Lynch's barn at Churchill Downs and has bounced out of the race in good shape, according to Rankin. "He's come out of the race really well," Rankin said. "We think with some different strategy, maybe he can be competitive. We know its a tough task and everything else, but we're all on the same page. Now that we've made a decision, it's really exciting." Flying Dutchmen is run by Travis Boersma, the co-founder and executive chairman of Grants Pass, Oreg.-based Dutch Bros. Coffee. The Boersma family has been involved in racing and breeding in Oregon for several years and has recently expanded their operations to Kentucky. Travis' son, Payton, is Flying Dutchmen's COO and will be graduating from the University of Kentucky in May. Owen Almighty is named after another of Boersma's sons, Owen. "It's very exciting for them. To have a horse that's qualified just a couple years into this endeavor is a big deal for them," Rankin said. "Travis knows the challenge, but he's over the moon about the opportunity." With Owen Almighty back in the Derby, it knocks Built back out of the field as the first also-eligible. Behind Built are Neoequos, Render Judgment, and Baeza. Built is also possible to run in the Pat Day Mile regardless of whether he qualifies for the Derby, but trainer Wayne Catalano confirmed Wednesday afternoon that they will wait to make a decision on the Derby until they draw back into the field. Rankin said a jockey has not yet been decided for Owen Almighty. Irad Ortiz Jr., who rode the colt in his three starts at Tampa Bay Downs this winter, is assigned to ride Publisher, and Jose Ortiz, who rode the colt in the Blue Grass, is aboard Arkansas Derby (G1) winner Sandman. In other jockey news, Churchill Downs Asia representative Kate Hunter confirmed to Churchill Downs publicity that João "Magic Man" Moreira has been confirmed to ride Luxor Cafe. The 41-year-old Brazilian jockey rode the American Pharoah colt to victory in the March 29 Fukuryu Stakes at Nakayama Racecourse.