Kodiak Kowboy is back on the worktab at Fair Grounds after an extended vacation that began after he finished third in the 2007 Bessemer Trust Breeders' Cup Juvenile (G1) at Monmouth Park on October 27, losing to eventual champion two-year-old male War Pass.
Kodiak Kowboy was not without an award of his own last year, receiving a Sovereign Award as Canada's champion two-year-old colt.
In the United States, Kodiak Kowboy was already a Grade 2 and Grade 3 winner as well as Grade 2-placed when he ran in the Breeders' Cup, and while the result added a Grade 1-placing to his resume, jockey John Velazquez explained how the result might have changed under different conditions.
"He was very unsure of himself," Velazquez said. "He was running very spotty. I had to ride him the whole way just to stay in position. He ran even at the end. Immaturity was part of it, but like [trainer Steve Asmussen] said, he's never run over a wet track like this."
Asmussen has indicated that he will focus on shorter distances for the Posse colt and does not expect him to run in the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (G1).
On March 14, Asmussen ran Kodiak Kowboy in a six furlong allowance race at Oaklawn Park. Tracking the early pace from third in a four-horse field, Kodiak Kowboy took command turning for home and was ridden out to a six length victory over Sebastian County.
April 14 - Four furlongs breezing in :52.40 at Keeneland Race Course, all-weather track fast. 36th best of 36 workouts at the distance.
March 31 - Four furlongs breezing in :49.00 at Keeneland Race Course, all-weather track fast. 14th best of 29 workouts at the distance.
Jockey Corey Lanerie, who rode Kodiak Kowboy to his first graded stakes win in the Bashford Manor Stakes (G3) at Churchill Downs on July 7, on how well prepared the then young two-year-old was prepared by trainer Steve Asmussen:
"Steve and his team did a great job with this horse. They threw everything at him that he might face today. He was well-seasoned, well-trained and ready to go. I was just a passenger and hung on to him."