Domestic Product Turns In Solid Work Toward Kentucky Derby Bid

If you’re a fan of Domestic Product, who won the  Lambholm South Tampa Bay Derby (G3) on March 9 after computer issues caused wagering on the race to be scrapped, you might believe the racing gods owe you one.

And if you really like him – maybe thinking he matured immensely from winning a three-way battle here against No More Time and Grand Mo the First, and because Irad Ortiz Jr. is supposed to ride him, the May 4 Kentucky Derby (G1) can’t get here soon enough.

You know what else makes you feel good? The naysayers who don’t even have Domestic Product in their Derby top-10, for cryin’ out loud. Because even though you have no idea how they got such a cushy job, their opinions are likely to drive your odds up even higher.

Normally, journalistic integrity mandates we credit the work of others, but why embarrass them when it’s so clear to you and a select few that Domestic Product is coming to the race as well as anyone? So, we’ll let the critics’ opinions stand anonymously, since they’re already voicing what so many others think anyway.

“Modest figs earned in dubious preps, will enter Derby off two-month layoff and low-rated win.”

“Has encountered extremely slow paces in both preps; doing enough to keep himself in the mix.”

“This late finisher is a better horse than his modest speed figures suggest” (hold on a minute, we don’t want a bunch of bettors getting the wrong idea).

We hasten to apologize for such sarcasm because these guys definitely are not making this up. In fact, Domestic Product’s winning Tampa Bay Derby time of 1:45.47 for 1 1/16 miles was the slowest for the race in 30 years, although perhaps due in part to everyone including the horses being worn to a frazzle before the race went off.

Anyway, you’ve been here before, and even though your record picking Kentucky Derby winners is not all that great, you’re a better handicapper than your modest profit figures suggest.

And as good as Sierra Leone, the Toyota Blue Grass (G1) winner, looked in a half-mile workout Saturday at Keeneland in :48.80, and as much as you like his jockey Tyler Gaffalione, you know something a lot of fans who never read past the headline don’t: While Sierra Leone hogged the spotlight, Domestic Product was going about his business this morning, working a half at Payson Park Training Center in Indiantown in :48.40.

Chad Brown, the trainer of both colts, has never trained a Kentucky Derby winner, and the sport’s fly-by media is certain to focus on Sierra Leone as his best shot while Domestic Product – if he’s mentioned at all – will be the horse that beat very little at Tampa Bay Downs and hasn’t raced since.

In two weeks, we’ll discover what Domestic Product has learned and forgotten, and whether he is one of those 21^st-century Thoroughbred rarities who actually doesn’t mind going 1 1/4 miles. Brown had the decency to address the Klaravich Stables homebred’s effort this morning at Keeneland after praising Sierra Leone.

“My assistants down there were both raving about the work,” Brown said. “He worked 48 and change and went out pretty solid for Payson Park in 1:13 (for 6 furlongs). I’m happy I decided not to run him after the Tampa Bay Derby. He keeps getting stronger and really refilled his tank, so to speak. Fresh horses run well for me.”

If you’re already on board with Domestic Product and hoping for 20-1 or higher, hide this report from your wagering compadres.