Owen Almighty possibly back in Derby picture after convincing Tampa win

Mar 08, 2025 Vance Hanson/Brisnet.com

Trainer Brian Lynch was on record before Saturday's $350,000 Tampa Bay Derby that Owen Almighty, win or lose, would be using the 1 1/16-mile fixture as a prep for the Pat Day Mile (G2) at Churchill Downs on May 3, rather than the Kentucky Derby (G1) on the same day. Those plans might be revised after Owen Almighty thrashed his Tampa Bay Downs opponents, while earning enough qualifying points to make the Kentucky Derby field.

Sent to the front from post 1 by Irad Ortiz Jr., Owen Almighty led by no more than a length over longshot Brodeur through the opening six furlongs. However, when asked to kick clear in upper stretch, Owen Almighty did so impressively, eventually crossing the finish 3 1/2 lengths in front.

Owen Almighty dominates in the Tampa Bay Derby for trainer @blynchracing with @iradortiz aboard! 💪

What's next? Kentucky Derby or Pat Day Mile? 💭🌹

🎥 TwinSpiresReplay pic.twitter.com/xwFypGb9tX

— TwinSpires Racing 🏇 (@TwinSpires) March 8, 2025

Chancer McPatrick, winner of last year's Hopeful (G1) and Champagne (G1), finished a clear second in his first outing since the Breeders' Cup Juvenile (G1) in early November, after which he underwent minor surgery. His stablemate in the Chad Brown barn, Breeders' Cup Juvenile third Hill Road, finished third again on Saturday. Both colts were wearing blinkers for the first time.

Farther back were 19-10 favorite Patch Adams, Brodeur, Naughty Rascal, and Filoso.

Flying Dutchmen Breeding and Racing owns Owen Almighty, who paid $7.80. He covered the course in 1:42.30 over a fast track, which 1.1 seconds slower than the older horse Skippylongstocking ran in setting a track record in the Challenger (G3) earlier on Saturday's card.

Owen Almighty increased his total of Derby qualifying points from 50 to 65, while Chancer McPatrick's tally jumped from 10 to 35. Hill Road's increased from nine to 24 and Patch Adams' increased from four to 14. Brodeur earned five points.

Owen Almighty has not crossed the finish line worse than second in six career starts. He went 2-for-3 at age two, following up a comfortable debut win at Churchill Downs in June with an even bigger win in the Ellis Park Juvenile. He finished second in the Iroquois (G3) in his season finale.

Owen Almighty returned from a fourth-month break in the Jan 11. Pasco S. at Tampa over seven furlongs. Although he prevailed by a length over Naughty Rascal at odds of 1-2, Owen Almighty was disqualified and placed fifth due to interference. Sporting blinkers for his next start, Owen Almighty finished a half-length second in the Sam F. Davis S. to John Hancock.

Owen Almighty is a Kentucky-bred son of Speightstown and the Grade 2-placed Tempers Rising, a daughter of Bayern. He was bred by Mark Stanley and sold for $350,000 at Fasig-Tipton Saratoga.