One of many greatest tales of horse racing of the previous 12 months has been the emergence of social media content material creator Griffin Johnson as probably the most lively and passionate ambassadors within the sport. Johnson first exploded a couple of 12 months in the past after turning into a part of Sandman, a proficient two-year-old colt with potential within the fall and winter of 2024.
Sandman met his expectations this 12 months on the age of three, successful the $1.5 million Arkansas Derby, working within the Kentucky Derby introduced by Woodford Reserve and completed third within the Preakness Stakes.
Johnson’s journey with Sandman attracted tens of millions and launched many generations of Z-ers to horse racing. However that was just the start. Now, Johnson holds possession of an much more proficient 2-year-old by way of his relationship with West Level Thoroughbreds.
Ewing is anticipated to start out with the $650,000 Claybourne Breeders future at Keeneland Racecourse, Kentucky, however the Curtain Name is about for the beginning of the $500,000 Champagne Stakes at New York’s Aqueduct (referred to as Belmont this fall).
These are very honorable and vital races for 2 causes. First, they’re getting ready for the “Win and You are In” Problem Sequence, and the $2 million Fan Duel Breeders Cup Boy introduced by the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance. The Breeders’ Cup boy often decides which two-year-old male racehorse was voted for within the 12 months of his race… so if both Ewing or Curtain Name wins the boy this Saturday after which wins that race, they’ll possible be champions!
Equally importantly, each the Breeders’ Future and Champagne are early prep races at Churchill Downs subsequent 12 months’s Kentucky Derby Could 2nd. The winners of every of those races will earn 10 qualifying factors within the 2026 Kentucky Derby, with the horse incomes fewer factors when ending second to fifth. Some Kentucky Derby Level banks are extraordinarily useful for both Colt, as this level will plot coaching and prep race schedules within the subsequent few months.
Let’s study somewhat about each of those proficient outlooks:
Ewing
Named after the Corridor of Fame NBA Heart, which patrolled New York Knicks paints within the Eighties and Nineteen Nineties, Ewing has up to now been 2-2. Each of his victory got here in dash races held over the summer time at 5½ furlongs and 6½ furlongs in Saratoga, upstate New York (with eight furs (220 yards every)). His race earlier than Saturday’s begin within the Breeders’ Future got here within the Saratoga particular stakes, which he has received for a very long time.
This precocious colt is already a stakes winner, however the breeders future is Grade 1 stakes, on the highest stage. It can even be attention-grabbing to see how the Ewing deal with stretches far, as it can take 1 1/16 miles (8½ furlong) and can take about two turns. His pedigree (genetic pedigree) means that he can run higher in longer races, as his Siennix Go received the 1¼-mile Breeders’ Cup Traditional in 2021 together with a number of different massive races. Ewing’s greatest impediment on Saturday is the presence of Ted Noffey, who got here to Keeneland from Saratoga to manage the bets that needed to spend Grade 1.
Claiborne Breeders’ Futurity posting time is scheduled for five:16pm ET, with the race airing on CNBC and Fanduel TV and streaming on Peacock.
Curtain name
This Florida-grown Colt started his racing profession with Churchill Downs in June, and completed his second promising profession, Olliteration, the winner of the stakes. From Curtain Name, he shipped to Saratoga for his second begin.
Subsequent, the curtain name was carried out with the hopeful pursuits of Grade 1 above, and he didn’t match Ted Nuffy together with all the opposite candidates in that race. Nonetheless, he did not stop and completed third within the seven furlong race. The candidate wants to enhance Saturday in his freshman race, Champagne Stakes, however he actually qualifies to take action. He makes an attempt to win a mile race with champagne. This can be held round one flip as a result of composition of the racecourse at Aqueduct.
Like Ewing, Curtain Name’s bloodline ought to make it easier to achieve longer races, maybe not simply on Saturday, but additionally sooner or later. He’s the winner of the Belmont Stakes and the son of a runner-up within the Kentucky Derby, and he’s related to a champion filly named Banshee Breeze, on the facet of the household (mom).
The Champagne posts can be ET at 3:20pm and the race will air on FS1.
The thrilling instances are quickly approaching. By Saturday night, how it will likely be shaped between Griffin Johnson’s horse and two-year-old friends earlier than the Breeders’ Cup 4 weeks later, the Kentucky Derby is heading down the street.
