Kentucky Derby Profile: Classic Causeway

The winner of the Grade III Sam F. Davis and Grade II Tampa Bay Derby, Classic Causeway looked like a real contender until an abject run in the Grade I Florida Derby. That run though has not stopped his connections from entering him into the most famous race in North America and JN Campbell has his thoughts on his chances...

The Brian Lynch Marketing Department continues to work overtime … The conditioner had the turfwriting community convinced that his son of Giant’s Causeway was going to pass on coming to Churchill, skipping the Derby. Well, Clarke Cooper and Kentucky West Racing helped change the trainer’s mind. He is coming … ticket in-hand. There is certainly talent when it comes to this one, and you will notice that when you look over his form.

Going back to the Jockey Club Stakes (G2) at Churchill in late November, he really made some nice moves, finishing 2nd to McPeek’s Smile Happy. Lynch decided to take the “Tampa” route to the Derby, and that brings with it a certain “key” decision if you win. The classic colt notched scores in both the Sam Davis (G3), and the Tampa Bay Derby (G2), and that garnered him enough “Points” to enter the starting gate in May. His conditioner then called an “audible,” which I thought was odd.

He decided to enter his charge in the Florida Derby (G1) against White Abarrio and Simplification. Wrong move … With no zip on his fastball, the colt ended up 11th … which is why most thought that he was “done.” I got the feeling when I listened to Lynch this past week that he is really just doing this because his owners want it. I am not saying that he is jeopardizing his runner; Brian Lynch is an excellent conditioner. I understand that the Derby is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity … but I will not be putting this one on any of my tickets.

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