Kentucky Derby Horse Profile: Hidden Stash

Apr 21, 2021 John Mucciolo/TwinSpires.com

Brian Klatsky, Brendan O’Brien and Braxton Lynch’s Hidden Stash ranks 17th on the 2021 Road to the Kentucky Derby challenge series with 32 points. The three-year-old finished fourth in the Blue Grass S. (G2) at Keeneland in his most recent performance. His career line now reads 7-2-1-2, $231,062.

The Vickie Oliver pupil was unveiled at Ellis Park on Aug. 30 and checked in fourth in a sprint on the main surface. Returning at Churchill Downs on Sept. 18, the son of Constitution showed some improvement when finishing third in a 6 1/2-furlong dash on the dirt. He broke through with a convincing three-length triumph when stretching out to 1 1/16 miles at Keeneland on Oct. 24, prior to concluding his creditable two-year-old season with an allowance victory at Churchill Downs on Nov. 28.

Hidden Stash has faced graded stakes foes in each of his outings in 2021. The chestnut commenced his sophomore campaign with a closing third-place result in the Sam F. Davis S. (G3) at Tampa Bay Downs, and he was a clear runner-up in the subsequent Tampa Bay Derby (G2). In the Blue Grass, the colt was stuck behind a slow pace and could only muster a fourth-place finish.

He was bred in the Bluegrass State by Rhineshire Farm and was purchased by his current connections for $50,000 at the 2019 Keeneland September Yearling sale. The March foal is the initial stakes performer out of the Smart Strike mare Making Mark Money. He hails from a fine female family that traces back to numerous high-level performers, including champion Outstandingly, Grade 1 winner and successful sire Sky Mesa, and 2019 Breeders’ Futurity (G1) hero Maxfield.

Hidden Stash has displayed a consistent turn of foot to this stage of his development, though he has yet to prove that he is fast enough to win the Kentucky Derby. The three-year-old shows a career-best 93 Brisnet Speed figure, and he will need marked improvement to challenge for the top prize on May 1.

However, he did have a tough trip in his initial nine-furlong bow at Keeneland, and the move to 1 1/4 miles can potentially work in his favor at Churchill Downs. The chestnut continues to train well in preparation of his toughest assignment to date, and he could be an interesting exotics contender with a well-timed ride in the Run for the Roses.