Kentucky Derby Horse Profile: Highly Motivated

Apr 21, 2021 John Mucciolo/TwinSpires.com

Klaravich Stables’ homebred Highly Motivated has earned 50 points on the 2021 Road to the Kentucky Derby challenge series and is tied for 11th on the points leaderboard. The son of Into Mischief exits a brave runner-up performance in the Blue Grass S. (G2) at Keeneland on April 3 behind unbeaten Derby favorite Essential Quality.

Highly Motivated kicked off his career as a juvenile on Aug. 29 at Saratoga and was a fine second in a six-furlong maiden special weight dash. He made his second start a winning one when topping Florida Derby (G1) victor Known Agenda in a 6 1/2-furlong event at Belmont Park. The bay concluded his two-year-old campaign with a 4 1/4-length romp in the Nyquist S. during Breeders’ Cup weekend at Keeneland on Nov. 6, where he established a new track record for the 6 1/2-furlong distance.

Trained by Chad Brown, the talented youngster made his 2021 debut at Aqueduct in the Gotham S. (G3) and put in a big middle move before finishing a close third under the wire. In the recent Blue Grass, the sophomore led until late stretch before settling for the place spot by a narrow margin.

Highly Motivated was bred in Kentucky and is the first stakes performer produced from Canadian stakes heroine Strong Incentive, who is also responsible for an unnamed yearling filly by Flintshire.

The colt has posted three consecutive Brisnet Speed figures of 102 to prove that he belongs with the upper echelon of contenders on the Triple Crown trail. He has displayed versatility in running well from on or off of the pace, and the 105 Brisnet Late Pace number that he registered in his two-turn debut in the Blue Grass hints that he will be able to carray his speed an additional furlong going forward.

Highly Motivated will be making his third start off the layoff beneath the Twin Spires on May 1, and the colt will be a prime player with even slight improvement off of his pair of endeavors this campaign. He drilled a bullet half-mile in his penultimate work ahead of the Kentucky Derby to indicate that he is thriving at the right time of the year.