Kentucky Derby Horse Profile: Speed King

Feb 04, 2025 John Mucciolo/TwinSpires.com

Triton Thoroughbreds, LLC’s Speed King picked up 20 points on the 2025 Road to the Kentucky Derby challenge series after posting a one-length victory in the $1 million Southwest S. (G3) at Oaklawn Park on Jan. 25. The Ron Moquett pupil endured 1 1/16 miles on the fast main strip in 1:45.86 under the guidance of Rafael Bejarano.

Bejarano stated after the race: “No, it wasn’t my plan (to go to the lead). I thought the No. 1 (Gaming) and No. 7 (Patch Adams), they’re supposed to be on the lead. But my horse, he broke so good, so nice on the lead, I left him alone. I took the lead and tried to get him relaxed. When I took a hold and got him relaxed, he responded to me. The horse, I think he can go a mile and a quarter. He’s improving every time he runs. I think this is a nice horse.”

Sandman, Tiztastic, Patch Adams, and Monet’s Magic completed the top five and earned qualifying points on a 10-6-4-2 basis, respectively.

Speed King made his first appearance at Churchill Downs on Nov. 1 and led throughout in a six-furlong maiden special weight. In his second assignment, the colt led late before ultimately finishing a close second in the Springboard Mile at Remington Park on Dec. 13. His lifetime line reads 3-2-1-0, $669,000.

The son of Volatile was bred in Kentucky by Nancy C. Shuford and passed through the auction ring on a trio of occasions. He brought $85,000 as a weanling at Keeneland November in 2022, prior to bringing the gaveled down for $30,000 at the 2023 Keeneland September Yearling Sale. In the 2024 OBS March Two-Year-Olds in Training Sale he attracted a final bid of $100,000.

Speed King lived up to his name to take the Southwest Stakes @OaklawnRacing on Saturday and add 20 points on the Road to the @KentuckyDerby!

He is our TS Stable Alerts Horse of the Week and you can add him to your stable below!

Never Miss A Winner ⤵️ https://t.co/8NCofHi6tk pic.twitter.com/liEq0P2N50

— TwinSpires Racing 🏇 (@TwinSpires) January 28, 2025

Speed King is the initial stakes winner produced from the winning Corinthian mare Athenian Beauty. This is the same female family responsible for champion three-year-old filly Stellar Wind, as well as Grade 1 winners Mor Spirit and Great Hunter.

The fleet sophomore has posted Brisnet Speed figures of 87-91-92 from his three lifetime runs and will have to get faster to be considered in the top tier of his division. He is targeting the $1.25 million Rebel S. (G2) on Feb. 22 and the $1.5 million Arkansas Derby (G1) on March 29, both at Oaklawn.