Kentucky Derby alumni update: Disarm set to return to graded stakes company

Apr 04, 2025 Sara Dacus/TwinSpires.com

Disarm wins at Churchill Downs (Photo by Coady Media)

Kentucky Derby (G1) alumnus Disarm kicked off his five-year-old season in style, surging to a thrilling neck victory in a March 14 allowance race at Oaklawn Park.

The millionaire colt now looks to rejoin graded stakes company, with connections considering either the Oaklawn Handicap (G2) on April 19 or the Alysheba Stakes (G2) on May 2, which takes place on Kentucky Oaks day at Churchill Downs.

Disarm returns to the races and gets back in the winner's circle as a 5YO in R9 at Oaklawn Park! 🤩@keithasm7 was up for trainer Steve Asmussen.

🎥 TwinSpiresReplay pic.twitter.com/WF6LJ1sQLn

— TwinSpires Racing 🏇 (@TwinSpires) March 14, 2025

Keith Asmussen rode Disarm for his father, Hall of Fame trainer Steve Asmussen.

“It was nice to see him get back in the winner’s circle, run a solid race, put some good numbers in,” Steve Asmussen told the Daily Racing Form. “We’ll see where we end up depending on how much time I think he needs off his last start.”

Disarm earned his place in the 2023 Kentucky Derby by finishing second in the Louisiana Derby (G2) and third in the Lexington S. (G3). On the first Saturday in May, he ran a strong race, finishing fourth in a field of 18, while Mage claimed the victory and the iconic garland of roses.

#8 Mage takes the 149th @KentuckyDerby!

🎥 #TwinSpiresReplay pic.twitter.com/hUlY5wYX0Y

— TwinSpires Racing 🏇 (@TwinSpires) May 6, 2023

Following the Kentucky Derby, Disarm won the Matt Winn S. (G3). In another standout moment of his sophomore season, he finished second in the Travers S. (G1), one length behind Belmont S. (G1) winner Arcangelo.

Disarm’s last trip to the winner’s circle was in his four-year-old debut, an allowance race at Churchill. In the remainder of 2024, he raced in four graded stakes, and his best finish was third in the Jockey Gold Cup S. (G1) at Saratoga. He also contested major events such as the Whitney S. (G1) and the Stephen Foster S. (G1).

Disarm is a son of 2017 Horse of the Year Gun Runner, who finished third in the 2016 Kentucky Derby and went on to win six Grade 1 races, including the Breeders’ Cup Classic and the Pegasus World Cup. He has become one of the leading sires of today. Like his sire, Disarm also races in the familiar Winchell Thoroughbreds silks.

Asmussen is the winningest trainer in North America, but he has never won the Kentucky Derby. Three of his starters have finished second: Nehro (2011), Lookin At Lee (2017), and Epicenter (2022). This year, he saddles Louisiana Derby (G2) winner Tiztastic and Arkansas Derby (G1) runner-up Publisher.