Kentucky Derby Horse Profile: Cyberknife

Apr 05, 2022 John Mucciolo/TwinSpires.com

Gold Square, LLC’s Cyberknife picked up 100 points on the 2022 Road to the Kentucky Derby challenge series leaderboard following his 2 3/4-length tally in the $1.25 million Arkansas Derby at Oaklawn Park on April 2. The Brad Cox pupil negotiated 1 1/8 miles on the fast dirt surface in 1:50.42 under the guidance of Florent Geroux. In the process, the three-year-old upped his lifetime line to 6-3-2-0, $860,000.

“Great effort with some high hopes for him,” said Geroux. “We always thought he was very talented. Looks like he finally put it together and he's probably not even 100 percent as he was zig zagging down the lane. I'm hoping he's going to be a little straighter on the first Saturday in May. But, a very talented horse.”

Barber Road finished second and was followed by Secret Oath and Doppelganger, with the trio earning points on a 40-20-10 structure, respectively.

Cyberknife debuted as a juvenile at Churchill Downs on September 25 in a maiden special weight dash, and the youngster crossed the wire in first only to be disqualified and placed second. The chestnut was once again a runner-up on November 5 beneath the Twin Spires, prior to graduating in his two-year-old finale at Fair Grounds with a half-length score while going 1 1/16 miles.

The colt was unplaced in the Lecomte S. (G3) to kick off 2022, and he preceded his lone stakes win to date with a three-length allowance victory at Fair Grounds on February 19 last time out.

Cyberknife was bred in the Bluegrass State by Ken and Sarah Ramsey, and he brought the gavel down at $400,000 at the 2020 Fasig-Tipton Kentucky July yearling sale. The son of standout young sire Gun Runner is the first black-type winner out of the six-time stakes-winning Flower Alley mare Awesome Flower. He is from the same female line as champion Well Armed, who counts a 14-length romp in the 2009 Dubai World Cup (G1) as his most prestigious score.

The improving sophomore has registered Brisnet Speed figures of 81-94-94 this campaign and will need further improvement to compete with the best of his generation in Classic events this season. Cyberknife has never been better and proved himself to be more than capable of handling 1 1/8 miles in his first try at the distance, so he could be expected to perform well at the 1 1/4-mile trip next month. He hails from one of the top barns in the country, so further improvement is expected approaching the First Saturday in May.