Win Willy Preps for Kentucky Derby

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Photo: Anne M. Eberhardt

Win Willy worked five furlongs at Churchill Downs April 27.
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Win Willy, the son of Monarchos   who entered the Triple Crown picture with an upset victory in the Rebel Stakes (gr. II), turned in his final preparation for the May 2 Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) with a five-furlong work in 1:02 2/5 April 27 at Churchill Downs. The time ranked 20th among 26 horses working the distance.

According to Churchill clockers, the colt posted fractions of :13 1/5, :25 3/5, and :37 4/5, while galloping out six furlongs in 1:15 3/5.

Trained by Mac Robertson for the Jer-Mar Stable of Jerome and Marlene Myers, Win Willy was purchased for $25,000 at the 2007 Keeneland September yearling sale.

“He looked good, went along nice and smooth,” Robertson said. “It looked like he finished strong, which is what I wanted to see. We’ve done all we can do, and now he’s gonna belong in there, or he isn’t.”

After winning two of his first three starts, Win Willy posted a huge upset over then-Derby favorite Old Fashioned   when he took the Rebel by 2 ¼ lengths at odds of 57-1. He subsequently finished fourth in Papa Clem  ’s Arkansas Derby (gr. II) victory.

Bred in Kentucky by Overbrook Farm, Win Willy is the second foal produced from the stakes-winning Carson City mare City Fair. Campaigned four seasons, City Fair won the Correction Handicap and placed in six stakes en route to compiling a bankroll of $299,527.

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