By now, trainer Kelly Breen is a Kentucky Derby veteran. No matter how many horses the Marlboro native, who now lives in Howell, may saddle for the nation’s most prestigious race, he treats it like the first time. He never takes it for granted.
“Any time you get to race the Derby, it’s special,” he said while waiting at the Philadelphia airport on April 28 for his flight to Lexington, Ky.
“You want to take it all in for what it’s worth. It’s so special.”
Breen’s entry in the May 4 Kentucky Derby is Sterling Racing’s Black Onyx. The 3-year-old colt raced his way to the Derby by winning the $550,000 Spiral Stakes on March 23.
Breen and jockey Joey Bravo are 2-2 with Black Onyx since Breen became the colt’s trainer. Breen is one of Monmouth Park’s leading trainers and Bravo is one of Monmouth’s leading jockeys, giving Monmouth Park fans a rooting interest.
This is the fourth horse that Breen has had in the Derby, and he believes that Black Onyx has a real chance to contend.
“He’s capable of running with these horses,” said Breen, who has a Triple Crown win on his belt, having trained 2011 Belmont Stakes winner Ruler On Ice.
Breen reported that Black Onyx has “very good stamina,” which is critical in the Derby. This will be the first time that the thoroughbreds will race a mile and one-quarter. What Breen likes most about this horse is his gameness.
“He gives it his all every time,” he said. “He really tries.”
The colt has also proved to be a good closer with finishing speed.
Black Onyx has been at Churchill Downs for a month. Having Kentucky Derby experience, Breen knows the best way to approach the pre-race prepping of his horse.
“I’m going to train him as before,” he said. “We know what he likes. We’ll do what works.”
Breen noted that Black Onyx trains every day and has had some very good speed workouts leading up to the race.
If there is a concern for Breen it’s that this will be Black Onyx’s first race for Breen on dirt.
The thoroughbred’s two races have been on turf and synthetic polytack. He pointed out that Black Onyx has been running well on the dirt in workouts.
Black Onyx won three of his five lifetime starts and was second once. His career earnings heading into the Derby are $407,810.
Breen said everyone will know more about what to expect on May 4 when the post positions are drawn on May 1.
The one thing that Breen knows for certain is that “there’s a lot of nervous energy.”
“You want to do what is right,” he said.