For some people, Kentucky Derby dreams can go on Endlessly. In 2024, that is the case for the backers of a colt based in Southern California.
Since March 23 of this year, those surrounding Thoroughbred runner Endlessly have been contemplating a run at that blanket of roses awarded to the Kentucky Derby champion. A dominant win in the Jeff Ruby Steaks at Turfway Park in Florence, Kentucky provided the qualifying points to put Endlessly in the starting gates on May 4. The question was could a horse that has won five of six lifetime starts cut the mustard at Churchill Downs when he has never raced on dirt? Hmmmmmm…
Trained by Mike McCarthy, this son of Oscar Performance has been a real film star running on both grass and synthetic surface. As a two-year-old, Endlessly enjoyed three wins on the California turf before finishing a troubled eighth in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf to finish the year. In 2024, impressive scores on synthetic surfaces in the El Camino Real Derby at Golden Gate Fields and the Jeff Ruby Steaks have proven he can both travel and win on something other than the grass of Southern California.
The dominance displayed in late March got the wheels turning for owner Amerman Racing and the conditioner that campaigns him. Given the uncertainty of starting a runner in the Kentucky Derby off NO starts on dirt, McCarthy sent his grandson of Langfuhr to the twin spires for a battery of tests. Working over the Churchill Downs dirt for the past few weeks, the decision would be made based on viable results whether he should run in the world’s most famous race.
Three solid works beginning on April 6 continued to cultivate thoughts of being able to legitimately compete against the best three-year-old dirt horses in the world. And then it happened on April 26. An eye-popping four-furlong work provided the proof to his crafty conditioner and Endlessly was entered into the 150th Kentucky Derby.
“I must say his last work was very good”, says McCarthy.
Can a horse win the Kentucky Derby with no career starts on dirt on his resume’? Well, this is the 21stcentury and today the considerations can go on Endlessly.
Drawing post 14, Endlessly is currently listed at 30-1 on the morning line with Umberto Rispoli slated to ride. Scheduled as race 12 on Saturday, May 4, the Kentucky Derby has an expected post time of 5:57 pm central.
