Kentucky Derby Horse Profile: Flying Mohawk

Apr 16, 2025 John Mucciolo/TwinSpires.com

Flying Mohawk

Two Eight Racing, Berry Family Racing, and Kaleta Racing’s Flying Mohawk has accumulated 50 points on the 2025 Road to the Kentucky Derby challenge series for trainer Whitworth Beckman. The sophomore was a closing second in the Jeff Ruby Steaks (G3) at Turfway Park on March 22 to punch his ticket to Louisville.

Flying Mohawk debuted at Saratoga on July 27 and finished unplaced in a 1 1/16 mile turf endeavor against maiden special weight foes. He was next seen finishing second on the lawn at Kentucky Downs, and following a fifth-place run in the Pilgrim S. (G2) in the Empire State, the dark bay capped off his juvenile season with a 5 1/2-length romp on the lawn at Churchill Downs on Oct. 27. Prior to the Jeff Ruby, the colt commenced 2025 with a two-length allowance score on the turf at Fair Grounds. His career line now reads 6-2-2-0, $295,800.

The son of Karakontie was bred in Kentucky by John O’Meara and is the initial black-type horse produced from the Twirling Candy mare Bonbons Fleur, who is a half-sister to multiple Grade 3 heroine Change of Control. He passed through the auction ring on a pair of occasions, first bringing $25,000 as a weanling at the 2022 Keeneland November Breeding Stock Sale, prior to attracting a final bid of $72,000 at the 2023 Keeneland September Yearling Sale.

Flying Mohawk has improved his Brisnet Speed number with each career run to date (64-77-83-87-88-97) and gives the impression of a three-year-old who will be able to endure 10 furlongs on the First Saturday in May. The colt has yet to run on the dirt, however, and he will have to prove capable of handling the surface change in the toughest assignment of his lifetime.