Square Eddie - Kentucky Derby Contender

Square Eddie

Pedigree: Smart Strike - Forty Gran, by El Gran Senor

Owner: J.P. Reddam

Trainer: Doug O'Neill

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Square Eddie Returns In Lexington S.

When Doug O’Neill discovered a left front shin injury on Square Eddie in the beginning of February, he figured the colt’s Kentucky Derby (gr. I) chances were over. But a speedy recovery and a series of nice works has O’Neill thinking of roses just two months later, and a nice effort in the $300,000 Coolmore Lexington Stakes (gr. II) April 18 at Keeneland will likely send the son of Smart Strike on to Louisville.

“Three months ago, I would not have been surprised to be here; two months ago, yes,” O’Neill said of Square Eddie. “His past two works (six-furlong moves of 1:12.20 April 11 and 1:13 April 5 at Hollywood Park) have been exceptional, signaling to us he is ready to get back at it."

Square Eddie is one of only two graded stakes winners in the 1 1/16-mile Lexington, which will be run on the Polytrack and is the final chance for 3-year-olds to earn graded stakes earnings for the Kentucky Derby. A full field of 12 was entered.

Bred in Ontario by Kinghaven Farms, Square Eddie won the $500,000 Breeders’ Futurity (gr. I) at Keeneland by 4 3/4 lengths in his North American debut last October to stamp himself as one of the top juveniles in the nation. He was purchased privately by J. Paul Reddam just prior to that race and handed to O’Neill. A solid runner-up to Midshipman in the Oct. 25 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (gr. I) at Santa Anita gave his connections even more reason to think big.

But on Feb. 2, two weeks after running second in the San Rafael Stakes (gr. III) at Santa Anita Park, which marked his 3-year-old debut, O’Neill discovered the injury that put Square Eddie on the shelf for a month. At the time, it seemed to end his Derby hopes, but here he is as the probable favorite in the Lexington.

“ I would want to see a really good effort and have him come out of it in good shape,” Oneill said. “Then we would huddle with Team Reddam (about going on to the Derby).”

Square Eddie, who has $774,981 in graded earnings, more than enough to get into the Derby, drew post 8 and will be ridden by Edgar Prado for the first time. He arrived at Keeneland April 15 and had his first gallop over the track that morning. He will carry 123 pounds.