22Common Defense

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Owner

David A. Bernsen, Tony Holmes, Michael Holmes & Norevale Farm

Trainer

Kenny McPeek

Jockey

Cristian Torres

Breeder

Tony Holmes Norevale Farm & Union Dale

Earnings

$253,450

Color

Dark Bay

Birthplace

Kentucky

Foal date

January 25, 2021

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Overview

Breeders’ Cup winners David Bernsen and Tony Holmes will be hoping they might add a Kentucky Derby to their resumes with Common Defense.

Holmes, who co-bred Breeders’ Cup Juvenile winner Stevie Wonderboy and Turf winner Dangerous Midge, bred Common Defense with his son Michael and Norevale Farm, owned by Holmes’ daughter Sarah Dooley and her husband Leo. Bernsen, who co-owned Breeders’ Cup winners Roy H. and Stormy Liberal, later bought into the colt, who is trained by Kenny McPeek.

Common Defense is by Breeders’ Cup Mile (G1) winner Karakontie, who has mainly excelled as a turf sire but whose progeny also include Sam F. Davis (G3) winner Sole Volante. His non-winning dam Allusion, by the versatile sire Street Cry, is a sister to multiple Grade 1 placegetter And Why Not and comes from the family of Withers (G3) winner Far From Over.

Karakontie hasn’t sired many stakes-winning horses at 1 1/4 miles and beyond, even on turf, and though there is some stamina on his dam’s side he can’t be seen as certain to stay the Kentucky Derby trip.

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Speed Rating

Best: 95 on March 23, 2024 :

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