Kentucky Derby Profile: Cyberknife

Cyberknife won the Arkansas Derby last time out and that alone will garner him plenty of attention. JN Campbell shares with us his thoughts on yet another Gun Runner colt set for the field on Saturday...

Bred by the Ramseys, this colt saw his stock rise after a “signature” win in the Grade 1 Arkansas Derby. It was Brad Cox’s 1st win in the race, and he should have many more to come. That is what 2-time Eclipse Award-winning trainers do … they get even better. There is much to like about this colt, and it starts with his sire, Gun Runner. Standing at Three Chimneys Farm for a stud fee of $125k, he went for $400k at the Fasig-Tipton Yearling Sale in 2020.

Gold Square named this one for a piece of medical technology, and Cox entered him at Churchill in a MSW Co. race in September. He was DQ-ed … It wasn’t until he shipped to Cox’s winter base at the Fair Grounds that he broke his maiden the day after Christmas. Heading into the Lecomte S. (G3) most ‘cappers thought he was, at best, a 3rd choice behind Epicenter and Pappacap. Ending up 6th, he just didn’t seem to have the right trip with Florent Geroux aboard. His conditioner went back to the drawing board, and got an AOC route under his saddle. At 2/1, he easily won … gaining some confidence and maturity, simultaneously.

The trip to Hot Springs would be the test though, and nothing would be easy running against DW Lukas’ Secret Oath. Waiting patiently in the 2nd flight, Geroux made a key decision on the backstretch to put his mount in contention, and that left enough in the tank to roll down the lane, winning by almost 3-lengths. The performance proved that he had the fortitude to “go longer,” and the stamina to match it. Coming into KYD148, I think he has the breeding, the right jockey, and with Cox’s experience that he gained last year along the Derby Trail, the right tactician. Cox cannot ride in this race, but he does know what this horse can do, and if he is confident, then that is good enough for this picker. A top choice …

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