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| Sumita Pawar |
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Ben Curtis couldn't have imagined that he would get to ride in the Gr.1 Kentucky Derby just six months after moving his tack to the United States.
However, this unlikely scenario moved closer to reality after Honor Marie finished second in the Gr.2 Louisiana Derby at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots. As Honor Marie prepares for the Derby, Curtis has been selected as the jockey.
"It was definitely on my to-do list, but it's come around a bit quicker than I thought," Curtis said. "It's a fantastic opportunity and on a horse that I think could show up brilliant on the day."
The native of Ireland mainly competed in races in England, but he has also ridden in various locations across Europe and would usually spend the winter in the Middle East.
However, last fall, he was presented with an opportunity to relocate his equipment to Fair Grounds, and Curtis chose to seize the opportunity for a four-month stint before returning to Europe.
"I was at a point where I just wanted a new challenge," Curtis said. "I was doing very well in England, there was no reason to make a move. Sometimes to go forward, you have to make big decisions."
The significant choice proved fruitful as Curtis secured victory in 43 out of 260 races at Fair Grounds, placing fourth in terms of wins for the meet and tenth in earnings with over US$1.5 million. His rapid success in the United States led the 34YO to reconsider his plan to return to Europe.
"When I go in, I throw myself all in," Curtis said. "I wanted to try and make a splash and make the best of it."
Following the conclusion of the Fair Grounds meet last month, Curtis relocated his racing equipment to Delaware Park. This summer, he will participate in the Mid-Atlantic circuit.
The opportunity to ride Honor Marie nearly slipped away. Trainer Whit Beckman had initially sought Florent Geroux to pilot the son of Honor Code in the 23rd March Louisiana Derby.
However, prior obligations led Geroux to Oaklawn Park, where he claimed victory in two stakes races on the same day. This circumstance opened the door for Curtis to secure the mount.
"He was beaten a length that day," Curtis said of the Louisiana Derby placing. "A length is easy enough to turn around."
After the Louisiana Derby, Beckman received multiple requests from jockeys and their agents, eager to ride Honor Marie. However, Beckman decided to remain loyal to Curtis and picked him as the jockey for the upcoming Gr.1 Kentucky Derby.
"It's a credit to Whit and the owners for sticking by me," Curtis said. "I've had a lot of experience riding around the world. A lot of people in America probably wouldn't know me, but I have a lot of credentials to my name. I think myself and the horse get along very well. If it's working, don't fix it."
Upon receiving the official news on 22nd April, Curtis embarked on a 10-hour journey from Delaware Park to Louisville, Kentucky, and arrived at the barn the following morning. He changed his original plan of riding at Delaware and decided to spend the pre-Derby period in Kentucky, providing any assistance he could to the Honor Marie team.
"It's the Kentucky Derby," Curtis said. "The trainers and the owners put their commitment in me, so we thought it was important to come down for the next two weeks and show that we're committed as well."
Spending ten hours in the car is quite a lengthy journey, so during the drive, Curtis delved deep into Honor Marie's ancestry while being a passenger. He believes there is a strong potential for classic success.
"I went through his pedigree from start to finish," Curtis said. "I can't see a stronger pedigree in the race that has more stamina. Everything about him screams out a mile-and-a-quarter, a mile-and-a-half. I would have no question about trip, he's as close to a guarantee there as you're going to get."
Curtis is also optimistic about Honor Marie's performance at Churchill Downs, as he has won two out of three races there, with the only loss being a second-place finish. One of the victories was in the Gr.2 Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes on 25th November.
"He looks a million dollars," Curtis said after seeing the horse this morning. "I think Whit and the team have him in fantastic shape."
Although he's a newcomer to the Kentucky Derby, Curtis remains unfazed by the prospect of competing on the first Saturday in May. Having participated in some of Europe's most significant races and ridden in fields larger than the expected 20-horse lineup for the Derby, he is well-prepared for the challenge. If he can apply his international experience and triumphs to secure a victory in the Kentucky Derby, it will bring him closer to achieving his current objective.
"The plan is to stay here and get to the top," Curtis said. "That's my plan wherever I go."