Even as general concepts, epic and hero do not necessarily go together. Even if you're willing to dismiss that stat as aberrational because Asmussen has started so many no-hope longshots over the years, it's still a metric that demands respect–especially if the horse in question is the second favorite on the morning line. The words epic and hero both defy generalization, let alone universalizing definitions. Most daunting of all is trainer Steve Asmussen's 0-for-23 record in the Derby. The GII Louisiana Derby is also not a springboard to Kentucky Derby success, with only two horses in 128 years winning both races. Epicenter's six-week break between his final prep and the Derby represents a race-spacing pattern that has only produced two winners on the first Saturday in May since 1929. In his next start, Epicenter broke his maiden with a 3 1/2-length win at Churchill on Nov. 18, 2021, where he set the pace and flattened out to finish sixth, beaten by 7 3/4 lengths. Epicenter made his debut at Churchill Downs on Sept. The main arguments against his chances of winning have to do with historical trends. Epicenter is a multiple Graded stakes winning 3-year-old colt sired by Not This Time, He is owned by Winchell Thoroughbreds LLC and trained By Steve Asmussen. He's only lost once (and then just barely) in the last half-year, his Beyer Speed Figures have increased in every start, and Epicenter owns a key victory over both the Nos. With over fifty Grand Prix wins on eighteen different horses to date, Chris is ever passionate for competing and coaching at the highest level of the sport. Play with virtual horses and manage an equestrian center on Howrse. But this $260,000 KEESEP colt by Not This Time is as reliable and consistent as they come, with strengths rooted in being able to withstand fraction after fraction of up-tempo splits on the front end while still having enough stamina left to spar through the stretch with anyone who's challenged him so far. A horse lover will say all horses are epic. Zandon has raced at Aqueduct, Belmont Park, Churchill Downs, Fair Grounds, Keeneland. Brown and has raced for Jeff Drown, and was bred in Kentucky, United States by Brereton C. He was sired by Upstart out of the Creative Cause mare Memories Prevail. Post 3, 7-2.Įpicenter is the rare “what you see is what you get” Derby contender. Epic Empowerment, Chesterfield, Missouri. Zandon is a 4 year old colt and has raced from 2021 to 2023. Lifetime Record: MGSW, 6-4-1-0, $1,010,639. When a horse runs in eighth in a 20-horse field through suicidal fractions of 21.78 and 45. 2) EPICENTER (c, Not This Time–Silent Candy, by Candy Ride ) O-Winchell Thoroughbreds LLC. It’s fitting that Epicenter won the race named in Gun Runner’s honor because his pedigree is a mirror image of that 2017 Horse of the Year.

Epic center horse