Just a Touch, holding a 7-5 record, is the early favorite among the eight older colts competing in the $100,000 Tenacious Stakes at the Fairgrounds on Road to the Derby Kickoff Day. Owned by Qatar Racing and trained by Marc Detemppel, Just a Touch has placed in four graded stakes races, including a runner-up finish in the 2024 Blue Grass (G1). Meanwhile, Justify, a lightly raced 4-year-old colt, has yet to secure a stakes victory. Trainer Brad Cox, who has won two of his three career races at the Fairgrounds, is back with Just a Touch, who will be guided by jockey Luis Saez from post two.
Not This Boy, owned by Zimmer Ridge Ranch and trained by Doug Cowans, has been close to victory in two stakes races, finishing just behind Hit Show in the West Virginia Governor’s Stakes and narrowly losing to Most Wanted in the 2024 Ellis Park Derby. The 4-year-old colt Not This Time will be ridden by Jose Ortiz, and starts as the 2-1 morning line favorite.
Other contenders to watch include Will Take It, a Hanshin Stakes winner for Willis Horton Racing and Whisper Hill Farm who came in seventh in this year’s Breeders’ Cup Mile (G1), and Komorebino Omoide, owned by Perry Martin, who claimed second place last year in both the Louisiana Stakes (G3) and Mineshaft Stakes (G3), as well as the Thanksgiving Classic at Fairgrounds.
The full Tenacious Stakes field with jockeys, trainers, and morning line odds is as follows:
– Memories of Komorebi (JPN) (Paco López, Robertino Diodoro, 4-1)
– Just a Touch (Luis Saez, Brad Cox, 7-5)
– Will Take It (Axel Concepcion, Dallas Stewart, 20-1)
– Stowaway (Jareth Loveberry, Whit Beckman, 12-1)
– San Siro (Ben Curtis, Brendan Walsh, 20-1)
– Sir Graylind (Brian Hernandez Jr., Kenny McPeak, 6-1)
– Not This Boy (Jose Ortiz, Doug Cowans, 2-1)
– Number One Dude (Colby Hernandez, Dallas Stewart, 30-1)
Fan Take: This event shines a spotlight on rising stars and seasoned contenders early in the Road to the Derby, providing fans with thrilling competition and a glimpse of the next generation of champions. It’s a crucial step that keeps the excitement alive for horse racing enthusiasts and strengthens the sport’s future by showcasing potential legends in the making.
