The Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (G1) is no place for a timid Thoroughbred, and if Court Vision's aggressive performance as a two-year-old in winning the Remsen Stakes (G2) is any indicator, he should be right at home in any Derby battle that might materialize.
In the Remsen, Court Vision was trapped behind a wall of horses in the stretch and appeared hopelessly blocked before powering through a narrow opening for the victory.
"I was getting bounced all over from the five-sixteenths pole to the three-sixteenths pole," jockey Eibar Coa said. "He fought back and pushed them out because they were trying to push him in. To overcome that, you saw the way he kicked. He was just much the best."
With family connections that have a win in each of the three Triple Crown races and the mettle displayed in the 1 1/8-mile Remsen, Court Vision offers trainer Bill Mott, who has yet to win a Kentucky Derby, an exciting Derby prospect.
Court Vision made his three-year-old debut in the Fountain of Youth Stakes (G2) on February 24 at Gulfstream Park, finishing third to Cool Coal Man and Elysium Fields.
The colt closed from 11th to third in the latter stages of the race while angling out seven-wide, a promising return from a three-month layoff.
Court Vision made his final Kentucky Derby prep in the Wood Memorial Stakes (G1) on April 5, finishing third behind Tale of Ekati and War Pass.
"The jockey [Garrett Gomez] said he was slipping a bit on the track," Mott said. "He dropped himself a pretty far way back and made a decent run to get third. Maybe he has lost a bit of confidence. I would think we would go on to Kentucky and evaluate from there."
April 27 - Five furlongs breezing in 1:00.80 at Churchill Downs, track fast. 21st best of 62 workouts at the distance.
April 17 - Four furlongs breezing in :46.20 at Churchill Downs, track fast. Best of 25 workouts at the distance.
Trainer Bill Mott, after Court Vision won the 2007 Remsen Stakes (G2) despite a troubled trip:
"He had to work his way out and bully his way out. This horse has been all about courage. He finished so strong once he got clear. He's got a bright future."