Tom Durant, the breeder and owner of the remarkably swift three-year-old horse Deecord, is optimistic that recent dramatic developments will bring him good luck. Durant eagerly anticipates the outcome as the 2004 sprint champion and son of Speightstown aims for his first consecutive win in Saturday’s 1 1/16-mile Southwest Stakes at Oaklawn Park. Since Deecord’s impressive debut on December 14th, Durant’s excitement has been soaring.
Deecord set a record as the fastest 2-year-old at the Hot Springs Racecourse in Arkansas, completing six furlongs in 1:09.57 with minimal effort from jockey Cristian Torres. “This is the horse you’ve been searching for all along,” said the 76-year-old Durant. “Our goal is to hold onto him and keep progressing.”
Originally, Deecord was listed in the Fasig-Tipton Two-Year-Old Training Sale with a nearly $1 million reserve, reflecting his exceptional reputation. It’s believed that if he had showcased his speed prior to the sale, he would have commanded a seven-figure price. However, the Breeze Show was canceled following a tragic accident involving a young mare on a flooded track. Durant, a seasoned industry veteran with 30 years’ experience, repurchased Deecord for $775,000 and is overjoyed. “I’ve had fast horses before, but never one who ran like that in their first race,” Durant said, adding, “It’s exciting to dream.”
Cristian Torres initially guided Deecord, who had led against Twirling Candy’s mare Dosvinos. Last season, Dosvinos earned a Beyer Speed Figure of 99, the second-best for a 2-year-old, while another Baffert trainee, Brandt, impressed with a 101 Beyer during his debut at Del Mar. For the $1 million Southwest Stakes (G3), Deecord will be ridden by the more experienced Luis Saez, starting from post 2 in a 12-horse field that features contenders like Los Alamitos Futurity winner Litmus Test, also trained by Baffert.
The Southwest Stakes awards Derby qualifying points to the top five finishers on a 20-10-6-4-2 scale. Trainer H. Ray Ashford Jr. acknowledged the early excitement surrounding Deecord, stating, “Why become a trainer if you don’t dream of the Derby? That’s always on your mind.” Ashford, who has maintained his hopes since opening his stable in 1990, is curious about how far Deecord can extend his remarkable speed. “By pedigree, he might not be expected to run long distances, but his morning workouts suggest otherwise,” Ashford noted. “He trains hard, recovers well, and seems capable of going the distance.”
Former jockey Bethany Taylor, who has firsthand experience with Derby competitors like Cole Battle, was impressed by Deecord but noted there’s more development ahead. “I hope he fulfills everyone’s expectations,” she said.
Ashford views the Southwest Stakes as a crucial test. “If Deecord can’t handle the distance, we won’t push him too far. I’d be happy if he’s just a great sprinter. There’s definitely some Derby excitement, but if it’s not meant to be, that’s okay.”
Everyone involved in Deecord’s early career is confident about his potential. Colby Marks, former farm manager at Stonehaven Stud in Kentucky, was taken by Deecord’s balance, size, and temperament from the start, calling him an ideal horse. Marks even advised Jack Bruner, who manages Durant’s Texas farm, that Deecord should never be sold.
Despite this, Durant, a prominent Texas car dealer, briefly tested the market. Now, he hopes Deecord turns out to be his best investment yet.
This story was originally published by Paulick Report on January 27, 2026.
Fan Take: This update on Deecord is thrilling for horse racing fans as it highlights the arrival of a potentially game-changing sprinter with hopes of competing at the highest level. If Deecord fulfills his promise, it could inject fresh excitement into the racing scene and inspire renewed interest in upcoming Derby contenders.
