Jonathan's Way

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Owner

Rigney Racing LLC

Trainer

Philip A. Bauer

Jockey

Rosario, Joel

Breeder

Susan L Anderson Racing LLC

Earnings

$213,530

Color

Dark Bay or Brown

Home > Derby Horses > Jonathan's Way

Overview

Jonathan's Way has emerged as an intriguing Kentucky Derby prospect, progressing from a sharp maiden win at Saratoga to become a stakes winner at Churchill Downs. The Philip Bauer trainee has shown tactical versatility, particularly impressive in his one-mile stakes victory where he demonstrated the ability to rate effectively and finish with authority.

His recent runner-up effort in the Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes (G2) at Churchill Downs was particularly noteworthy, as he handled two turns professionally and stayed on well at 1 1/16 miles. The dark bay colt's steady progression through increasing distances suggests further improvement as the races get longer.

By Practical Joke out of the Indian Charlie mare Female Drama, his pedigree presents some stamina questions on top. His running style and professional demeanor help his Classic distance aspirations.

With $268,530 in earnings from four starts (2-1-0), Jonathan's Way has proven himself against quality competition. His only off-the-board finish came in the Road to the Kentucky Derby prep American Pharoah Stakes (G1) at Del Mar. The colt bounced back impressively in the Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes, suggesting both mental and physical developmental growth.

His steady workout pattern at Churchill Downs, including recent maintenance moves, indicates he's maintaining his form while building toward longer distances.

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ROGERS: Jonathan's Way leads all the way in Iroquois on Road to Kentucky Derby

Jonathan's Way took the first prep race on the Road to Kentucky Derby 151 on Saturday @ChurchillDowns with a win in the Iroquois!

He is your TS Stable Alerts Horse of the Week and click the link below to add him to your stable!#NeverMissAWinner ⤵️ https://t.co/7q4PL6qxmS pic.twitter.com/3XbxmOSTEP

— TwinSpires Racing 🏇 (@TwinSpires) September 17, 2024

Pedigree

Sire Name Vekoma

Dam Name Female Drama

Race History

Breaking from post 9 under Joel Rosario, Jonathan's Way demonstrated newfound tactical maturity, settling comfortably off the early pace before launching a well-timed move. His ability to rate effectively answered key questions about his distance capabilities, particularly important given the speed influences in his pedigree through his sire Practical Joke and damsire Indian Charlie.

Jonathan's Way's victory in the 2024 Iroquois Stakes (G3) marked a significant milestone in both the colt's development and trainer Philip Bauer's career. Coming into the race off a sharp maiden victory at Saratoga, the dark bay son of Practical Joke showcased his versatility by successfully stretching out to two turns while facing graded stakes company.

The victory, worth 10 Kentucky Derby qualifying points, proved no fluke as Jonathan's Way went on to validate his form with a solid second-place finish in the Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes (G2) over the same Churchill Downs surface. This progression from maiden winner to graded stakes victor to Grade 2-placed runner established him as a legitimate player on the Derby trail.

For Rigney Racing and Bauer, the Iroquois success represented their growing prominence in Kentucky racing, with their homebred colt showing the kind of development pattern that suggests further improvement as distances increase. The professional nature of his victory, particularly the way he handled the two-turn configuration at Churchill Downs, offered encouraging signs for his future classic aspirations.

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