Kentucky Derby Horse Profile: Encino

Mar 05, 2024 John Mucciolo/TwinSpires.com

The Godolphin homebred Encino earned 20 points on the 2024 Road to the Kentucky Derby challenge series leaderboard, following his one-length victory in the $142,500 John Battaglia Memorial S. at Turfway Park on March 2. The Brad Cox trainee endured 1 1/16 miles on the Tapeta surface in 1:44.22 under the guidance of Axel Concepcion.

“After I broke pretty well from the gate I was able to get over and begin to follow (runner-up) Epic Ride,” Concepcion said. “He relaxed very well down the backside and around the far turn I was able to ask him for his best run. I had a lot of horse still left down the lane and he continued to run hard all the way to the wire. It’s exciting riding a horse like this in a race like the Battaglia. It’s on the Road to the Kentucky Derby so it means a lot.”

Encino gained 20 points on the Road to @KentuckyDerby 150 on Saturday night @TurfwayPark with a win in the John Battaglia Memorial Stakes!

Click the link below to add the @bradcoxracing trainee to your TwinSpires Stable Alerts!#NeverMissAWinner ⤵️ https://t.co/TQDDOx9jXK pic.twitter.com/Ph6SFyAm4i

— TwinSpires Racing 🏇 (@TwinSpires) March 4, 2024

Encino made his debut at Turfway on December 29 in a one-mile maiden special weight event, and he checked in a clear second in his positive first appearance. In his second lifetime outing, the dark bay colt led in gate-to-wire fashion en route to a half-length win on the oval on January 26. His lifetime line now reads 3-2-1-0, with $141,971 in earnings.

The son of Nyquist is the first black-type winner out of the Bernardini mare Glittering Jewel. He's a half-sister to champion and prominent sire Street Sense, who captured the 2007 Kentucky Derby (G1) and 2006 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1) during his career. This is the same female line as standout sire Mr. Greeley.

Encino has posted Brisnet Speed numbers of 78-83-91 from his three career engagements to date, and the improving colt will likely have little problem enduring additional ground going forward. He still must pass a test on the dirt at some point this season, but the sophomore is an encouraging prospect with a high ceiling.