He was asked to clarify his thoughts on targeting Hoosier Philly Kentucky Derby 2023coach Tom Amoss said Monday that “we haven’t made any decisions” about where to send the undefeated Cubs next spring.
“I wouldn’t do it without the owners and what she shows when she comes next year,” Amoss said. Horse Racing Nation in a phone call on Monday.
ZIPSE: Amoss opens door for a Philly in Kentucky Derby.
Amoss raised his hopes that the Bill Stone and Rod Ratcliff-owned 2-year-old In Mischief could try to become the first filly since Devil May Care in 2010 to start in the Derby. After Hoosier Philly won Saturday’s Golden Rod Stakes (G2) to take his record to 3-for-3, Amoss told Churchill Downs TV, “It’s a shotgun, but I liked the thought of putting it on the road to the Kentucky Derby. “
Asked about 15 minutes later if that would be his mission in 2023, Amoss said HRN“No. I just meant it crossed my mind. That’s all.”
Putting all that into context on Monday, Amoss said his TV statement “was part of a larger commentary. It was designed to talk about how good I thought she was.”
The talking points were heated Saturday when Hoosier Philly pulled away to a five-length victory in the Golden Rod, a 1 1/16-mile Kentucky Oaks points prep that was won in 1:43.94. It was 1.31 seconds faster than Instant Coffee’s victory over the same course and distance a half-hour later against rival 2-year-old colts in the Kentucky Jockey Club (G2), a points prep for the Derby.
However, Beyer Speed Figures from Daily racing form revealed that Instant Coffee earned an 82 and Instant Coffee an 81, no doubt an adjustment for the slow, early pace in the Kentucky Jockey Club.
Amoss said Hoosier Philly could have shown even more if jockey Edgar Morales had asked him to.
“I was tempted to say to Edgar, ‘You know what? When she comes down the lane, open the reins and let her run. But that is not in her interest. There are still many races ahead. By the time she passed that group, and Edgar had a lot of horses, we had already made the decision that we were just going to (cruise). We weren’t going to take any chances with a horse like that.”
Morales, who also rides Hoosier Philly in daily practice, said there’s more.
“It just makes everything so easy,” he said Saturday. “He doesn’t even realize how fast he goes in the morning. It is unbelievable. … She pulled me into a gallop. I stopped her with the fugitives there, or she would have kept going all day. When he changed directions and was just waiting for company. She is very professional in the company in the morning so I know she has a lot more there. I never have to wait for anything, so I know she’s really good.”
In her first two races, also at Churchill Downs, Hoosier Philly won by 1 3/4 lengths in a 5 1/2 furlong debut on Sept. 25 and by 7 1/2 lengths in the Rags to Riches Stakes covering 1 1/16 mile October 30.
While Amoss goes along with the ongoing meeting at the Fair Grounds in New Orleans, Hoosier Philly has a month off at a farm in Florida before her 2023 debut, wherever that might be — and wherever that might lead.
Asked if it was too early to plan any races in May, let alone the Kentucky Derby, Amoss said, “I think we’re both saying the same thing.”