By Bloodhorse.com
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (Apr. 5, 2022) — The May 7 Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve (G1) at Churchill Downs will soon shed light on where California’s 3-year-olds stand vs. the nation’s best. But the racing public already knows the high quality of one of the state’s most precocious 2-year-olds.
Racing May 5 in the $179,785 Kentucky Juvenile Stakes at Churchill, California-bred Tom’s Regret scored a front-running length victory over The Big Wam . Bet down to favoritism following a quick first-out victory at Santa Anita Park last month, she sped five furlongs in :58.23 on a fast track, returning $6.40 on a $2 wager.
“We have a good filly. She showed me all the time in the morning. I had a lot of confidence,” trainer Jorge Periban said in a post-race interview broadcast on the track’s in-house television feed.
Bred in California by DP Racing, Tom’s Regret is the lone winner and first stakes winner from four foals produced by the Quality Road mare Pure . Her two unraced foals are a 3-year-old full sister to Tom’s Regret named Precious Baby, and a yearling Sir Prancealot colt.
A grade 1-winning miler, 12-year-old Tom’s Tribute stands at Rancho San Miguel in California. Tom’s Regret is his first stakes winner.
Tom Beckerle’s Griffin Stables, Saul Carrillo, Victor Flores, and Eugene Zondlo own Tom’s Regret. Carrillo purchased her for $20,000 from the McCarthy Bloodstock consignment at Fasig-Tipton’s 2021 California Fall Yearlings and Horses of All Ages Sale.
Breaking from the rail, winning jockey Tyler Baze took no chances on his mount from her inside post, hustling her to take command early from Lone Leader , just to her outside. Once she edged past that one entering the turn, she proved clearly in charge, posting splits of :22.63 and :45.92, ahead of those jostled behind her in traffic. The Kentucky Juvenile then turned into a two-horse affair down the lane, with The Big Wam rallying wide under Joe Talamo to finish a clear second, one length behind the winner.
“Her ears were up and flicking back and forth all the way down the lane,” said Baze. “She never came close to laying her body down. She’s got so much talent it’s unbelievable. She gave those boys a whipping today.”
Periban said his winning Tom’s Tribute filly showed “mucho heart.”
“It is a pleasure to be in Kentucky again,” said Periban. “We were here and won three years ago (with Phantom Boss in the formerly named Bashford Manor Stakes) and it is a very special experience. We are proud of our filly.”
Ryvit rallied for third, ahead of Mr. Gordy in fourth. Neither threatened the top pair.
The Big Wam, second at Keeneland April 28, performed well on short rest to stay close. Slowly away, he was eighth three-sixteenths of a mile into the race but contended exiting the turn despite a five-wide trip. Only Tom’s Regret proved too much for him Thursday.