Contenders
Blackberry Road
Trainer: David Carroll
Owner: Dogwood Stable
Breeder: Payson Stud Inc.
As a half-brother to 2002 2-year old champion Vindication, Blackberry Road has attracted attention since birth, but he first caught Derby watchers eyes with a fast-closing second in the Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes. More recently, Blackberry Road has attracted attention for the trouble he seems to find in races. Blackberry Road is one of the most experienced horses on the Derby Trail, as he has more graded stakes starts than many horses have total starts. He was one of the first Derby horses to arrive at Churchill Downs, getting there in late March. He shipped to Oaklawn for his final Kentucky Derby prep in the April 12 Arkansas Derby (gr. II), winding up seventh, which could have derailed his Derby hopes.
Auction History
| Year | Sale | Price |
|---|---|---|
| 2006 | Keeneland September Yearling Sale | $235,000 |
Racing History
| Date | Race Name | Distance | Finish | Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 04/12/08 | Arkansas Derby (gr. II) | 9f | 7 | $0 |
| 03/08/08 | Louisiana Derby (gr. II) | 8f | 4 | $20,000 |
| 02/09/08 | Risen Star (gr. III) | 8.5f | 5 | $6,000 |
| 01/12/08 | LeComte Stakes (gr. III) | 8f | 2 | $20,000 |
| 11/24/07 | Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes (gr. II) | 8.5f | 2 | $54,243 |
| 09/29/07 | Kentucky Cup Juvenile (gr. III) | 8.5f | 3 | $9,500 |
| 09/01/07 | Arlington-Washington Futurity (gr. III) | 8f | 7 | $1,500 |
| 07/07/07 | Bashford Manor Stakes (gr. III) | 6f | 4 | $8,174 |
| 06/23/07 | MSW | 5.5f | 1 | $30,018 |
| 06/02/07 | MSW | 5f | 3 | $4,800 |
| Record: 10 Starts, 1-2-2 | Total Earnings: $158,235 | ||||
| Race Records provided by equineline.com | ||||
More on BloodHorse.com:
Gayego Answers Dirt Question at Oaklawn
After doing all of his running on Southern California's synthetic tracks, favored Gayego proved he has no problem with a conventional dirt surface, either. The Paulo Lobo-trained invader repelled Z Fortune in the stretch run for a three-quarter-length victory in the $1-million Arkansas Derby (gr. II) at Oaklawn Park.
Z Fortune Seeks Redemption in Arkansas
Last year, Steve Asmussen and Robby Albarado teamed up with eventual Horse of the Year Curlin to clobber eight other contenders in the $1 million Arkansas Derby (gr. I). On April 12 at Oaklawn Park the trainer/jockey duo will collaborate again with Zayat Stables' Z Fortune, but this time their starter has a lot to prove.
Arkansas Derby Runners Prep at Churchill
Dogwood Stable's Blackberry Road, runner-up in the Kentucky Jockey Club (gr. II), and WinStar Derby winner Liberty Bull prepped for scheduled runs in next week's $1-million Arkansas Derby (gr. II) with workouts in the mud April 5 at Churchill Downs.
Derby Contenders Work at Churchill
Denis of Cork, Blackberry Road, and My Pal Charlie worked at Churchill Downs March 30 as they prepared for final starts before the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I).
Preps Set for Dogwood Derby Pair
Dogwood Stable has finalized plans for their two Kentucky Derby hopefuls Atoned and Blackberry Road. The former will make his next start in the $500,000 Illinois Derby (gr. II) April 5, while Blackberry Road will have his final prep in the $1-million Arkansas Derby (gr. II) April 12.
Pyro Makes Statement in La. Derby Win
The doubters said that Pyro's last-to-first victory in the Risen Star (gr. III) was not as good as it looked. There won't be much for the skeptics to say after the Pulpit colt's latest performance, a commanding three-length score in the $600,000 Louisiana Derby (gr. II) March 8 at Fair Grounds, a victory that cemented the Steve Asmussen trainee as one of the top two 3-year-olds in the country.
Pyro Smokes Field in Risen Star
From the cavalry charge that entered the head of the lane for the $300,000 Risen Star Stakes (gr. III) at Fair Grounds, a star emerged. Winchell Thoroughbreds' Pyro smoked the competition, making a huge last-to-first move under Shaun Bridgmohan at Fair Grounds Feb. 9.
Z Fortune Moves up in LeComte
Zayat Stables' Z Fortune put himself near the top of trainer Steve Asmussen's 3-year-old list when he came from off the pace to take the $100,000 LeComte Stakes (gr. III) at Fair Grounds Jan. 12.
Blackberry Road Favored in Lecomte
Dogwood Stable's Blackberry Road may be the 7-2 morning line choice for the $100,000 Lecomte Stakes (gr. III), but he'll face two unbeaten runners, a graded stakes winner, and an impressive 9 1/4 length victor when a field of nine heads to the post at the Fair Grounds Jan. 12.
Dogwood Colts on Derby Trail
Two horses owned by Dogwood Stable have validated their status as early candidates for the 2008 Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands, the partnership announced Nov. 26.
Anak Nakal Smooth in Jockey Club
Trainer Nick Zito saddled the winner of the $250,000 Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes (gr. II) at Churchill Downs on Nov. 24, but it wasn't the horse everyone expected.
| Blackberry Road | Gone West | Mr. Prospector |
| Secrettame | ||
| Strawberry Reason | Strawberry Road (AUS) | |
| Pretty Reason |
RSS
