New Faces: Kentucky Derby Dreams Alive For Two Prep Race Runners Up

Originally posted on Paulick Report | Last updated 3/26/24

They may not have crossed the wire first on Saturday, but connections of the runners up in the G2 Louisiana Derby and G3 Jeff Ruby Steaks still have plenty of reason to celebrate: Honor Marie and West Saratoga have each likely earned enough points to make it into the starting gate for the Kentucky Derby.

This would be a first Derby starter for both trainer Whit Beckman (Honor Marie) and trainer Larry Demeritte (West Saratoga).

Beckman saddled Honor Marie to a second-place finish in the G2 Louisiana Derby, beaten one length by the victorious Catching Freedom. Honor Marie (Honor Code) also ran fifth in the G2 Risen Star and won last fall's G2 Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes; the colt now has 65 points toward the Kentucky Derby. In most recent years, 40 points has been the approximate threshold for entry.

"You always have it as the vision and you have a process and trust that it is going to get you there," Beckman told bloodhorse.com. "I don't want to be saying I'm so surprised because ultimately it's what we're trying to do, but at the same time, it's incredible."

Beckman has been training since 2021, and is a former assistant to Todd Pletcher and trainer Chad Brown.

Demeritte, meanwhile, sent out West Saratoga to finish second in the G3 Jeff Ruby Steaks at Turfway Park. The Exaggerator colt was beaten four lengths by the winner, Endlessly, who is not likely for the Kentucky Derby, but won a four-way photo to earn the place.

West Saratoga also ran third in the G3 Sam F. Davis Stakes and won last fall's G3 Iroquois Stakes, bringing his total Kentucky Derby points to 67.

“I’m so excited to be in the Kentucky Derby,” Demeritte told DRF. “He ran a great race, and dug in to hold second. We’ll probably take him over to Keeneland and train for the Derby there.”

Demeritte is a native of the Bahamas, and has been battling cancer since his diagnosis in 2017. Specifically, Demeritte was diagnosed with multiple myeloma (bone cancer) and a disease called amyloidosis, which causes the body to make abnormal proteins, Demeritte has been undergoing chemotherapy once a month for seven years.

“You know, I can’t focus on what’s going on with these frail bodies we have,” Demeritte said after West Saratoga's Iroquois victory. “Life is like bumps in the road. Sometimes you hit some bumps, and sometimes it smooths out for you. That happened today for us, and I’m grateful.”

The full Kentucky Derby points standings are available here:

This article first appeared on Paulick Report and was syndicated with permission.

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