Five new sophomores emerge on the Kentucky Derby trail

Feb 08, 2025 John Mucciolo/TwinSpires.com

Citizen Bull capped a fine 2024 campaign with an excellent victory in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1) to cement his status as the leader on the Road to the Kentucky Derby (RTKD) entering this season. And while the colt has done nothing wrong in the interim, a handful of new prospects has emerged over the past month as ones to watch as we approach Triple Crown season.

Burnham Square

By bagging the Holy Bull S. (G3) on Feb. 1, the Ian Wilkes charge produced a second consecutive big run on the Gulfstream Park surface. The son of Liam’s Map has improved his Brisnet Speed number in each career assignment, topped by a 101 most recently, and the Whitham homebred is an exciting prospect going forward. He is capable of running while up close, or off the pace, and his affinity for Gulfstream Park is a big bonus for him, as well.

Rodriguez

Trained by Bob Baffert, the son of Authentic was runner-up in his debut showing in November at Del Mar, but the colt has given the impression of a sophomore with a high ceiling since his unveiling. The $485,000 yearling purchase broke his maiden with authority on the move to one mile on Jan. 4, and he proved that his win was no fluke when finishing a good second behind champion Citizen Bull in the Robert B. Lewis S. (G3) next time out. The Kentucky-bred might not boast the best catalog page for classic distances, but talent can often overcome anything.

Disco Time

It’s fair to say that the Brad Cox trainee went from interesting prospect to serious Triple Crown threat following his impressive score in the Lecomte S. (G3) at Fair Grounds on Jan. 18. The Juddmonte Farms’ homebred rallied from well back last time after being forwardly placed in his first pair of contests, and his versatility can carry him a long way going forward. He is also not bred to run long on his female side, but I wouldn't count out the unbeaten son of Not This Time just yet.

Barnes

The Baffert pupil has had a lot of hype attached to him since bringing the gavel down at a cool $3.2 million at Saratoga as a yearling, as well as after winning on debut at Churchill Downs in November, but I think it is now justified following his sharp San Vicente S. (G2) tally at Santa Anita on Jan. 4. The bay son of Into Mischief made short work of a few very talented foes in his initial try with winners, and he closed swiftly at seven-eighths to suggest that he is far more than a sprinter. He gives me the impression of a superb prospect.

Barnes Passes 1st Stakes Test With Flying Colors In Saturday’s Grade II, $200,000 San Vicente Stakes pic.twitter.com/sBEuoekX6c

— Santa Anita Park (@santaanitapark) January 5, 2025

River Thames

The Todd Pletcher trainee has yet to face off with stakes foes on the RTKD, but the son of Maclean’s Music has been quite impressive from two career performances, nonetheless. The $200,000 yearling buy earned a 96 Brisnet Speed number for his debut tally at Gulfstream Park on Jan. 11, and the bay proved that the one-turn mile was not a problem when dominating allowance foes at the same venue Feb. 1, while registering a 99 Speed figure. The Empire State-bred will get a true test in his next race with graded foes, but he appears well equipped to handle the class rise.

River Thames and @ljlmvel are the winners of the first leg of the Rainbow Pick6! #GulfstreamPark #ChampionshipMeet pic.twitter.com/viGUYuqBwe

— Gulfstream Park (@GulfstreamPark) February 1, 2025