Kentucky Derby Horse Profile: Kingsbarns
Mar 28, 2023
Spendthrift Farm’s Kingsbarns earned a start in the 2023 Kentucky Derby with his 3 1/2-length victory in the $1 million Louisiana Derby (G2) at Fair Grounds on March 25.
The unbeaten colt finished off 1 3/16 miles on the fast main surface in 1:57.33 with Flavien Prat in the stirrups aboard the Todd Pletcher charge.
“He jumped well, I was able to get myself in a comfortable spot and from there he did the job,” Prat said. “Hopefully he moves forward. I thought it was already a great performance and if he moves forward, that’s even better.”
Kingsbarns was bred in Kentucky by Parks Investment Group and passed through the sales ring twice. He brought $250,000 as a yearling in 2021 at Saratoga, prior to bringing the gavel down at $800,000 at the Fasig-Tipton Gulfstream Sale as a two-year-old in training in March 2022.
He is the first black-type performer out of the Grade-3 placed Tapit mare Lady Tapit, a half-sister to 2009 American Oaks Invitational S. (G1) heroine Gozzip Girl. This is the same female line responsible for 1993 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1) star Brocco.
Kingsbarns began his career Jan. 14, 2023 at Gulfstream Park and ran clear to a 1 3/4-length score in a one-mile maiden special weight contest. The son of Uncle Mo returned to face allowance foes at Tampa Bay Downs Feb. 12 and dominated by 7 3/4 lengths. His lifetime line after the Louisiana Derby read 3-3-0-0, $657,300.
The rising star registered Brisnet Speed figures of 95-91-98 from his first three starts, which includes a robust 109 Late Pace number for his effort at Fair Grounds. He is lightly raced, bred to handle a classic distance, and also has the early speed to be involved in his performances from the start. Kingsbarns has to be considered to be a serious contender in the Triple Crown series with expected improvement going forward.
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