Our Moneyman's Journey to the Pennsylvania Derby: A Tale of New Beginnings
Our Moneyman, a racehorse whose name aptly reflects his value, is making headlines as he prepares for the prestigious Grade 1 Pennsylvania Derby at Parx. Having graduated from Louisiana-bred company and subsequently fetching a staggering $2 million at auction, his journey to this high-stakes event has been nothing short of remarkable. Trainer Bret Calhoun expresses a mixture of surprise and satisfaction, noting the horse's significant progress since extending to longer distances.
Our Moneyman, priced at 8-1 on the morning line, is once again poised to challenge Further Ado, the 2-1 favorite who bested him in the Matt Winn (G3). Supporters of Our Moneyman frequently highlight the difficulties he encountered in his most recent outing. During the Indiana Derby (G3) on July 11, he was hindered early in the race and ultimately lost by a neck to Leading Change, who later went on to win the Travers (G1). Jockey Axel Concepción also lost his crop in the final stages, contributing to the narrow defeat.
Calhoun recounted the Indiana Derby experience, noting, “Leading Change is an excellent horse who has proven his capabilities, and his Travers victory certainly highlights Our Moneyman's performance against him. However, on that particular Indiana Derby day, I believe our horse was the superior contender. We faced numerous obstacles, including a slow start, losing our position, and having to accelerate into a fast half-mile split just to regain ground. Despite these challenges and the jockey losing his crop, he finished exceptionally well.” Calhoun views Leading Change's subsequent Travers win as a testament to the quality of Our Moneyman's performance in their encounter.
This three-year-old colt, sired by Mr. Money—a horse who, under Calhoun’s training, placed second in the 2019 Pennsylvania Derby—has a notable lineage. After securing two victories in stakes races for Louisiana-breds at Fair Grounds, Our Moneyman was sold by Chester Thomas’s Allied Racing Stable. At the Fasig-Tipton auction for horses of racing age, he was purchased by KAS Stables, owned by the Saudi Arabian royal family, for a record-breaking $2 million. Bloodstock agent Pedro Lanz commented on the acquisition, stating, “I reviewed his race replays and concluded that he would be an ideal fit for Saudi Arabia.”
Indeed, there is speculation that Our Moneyman might be aimed for the $20 million Saudi Cup (G1) in February. This is a significant leap for a horse who, just months prior, finished third in a Churchill Downs allowance race on Kentucky Derby day. While the stakes have drastically increased and Saratoga's leading jockey, Manny Franco, will be in the saddle for the first time, one constant remains: trainer Bret Calhoun, whose services KAS Stables wisely retained. Calhoun reflected on the unusual circumstance of retaining a horse after its sale, expressing gratitude for the assistance from Fasig-Tipton staff and Lanz, who advocated for Our Moneyman to remain in his existing program, allowing for continuity that Calhoun hadn't anticipated.
Our Moneyman has demonstrated a stalking racing style, suggesting he is well-suited for Saturday’s 1 1/8-mile distance. He successfully transitioned from sprints as a two-year-old, recording a 4: 1-2-1 record in four subsequent races, all at 1 1/16 miles. In his losses, he never finished more than two lengths behind the winner, and in three of those four races, he was gaining ground at the wire.
Calhoun acknowledges the unknown territory of the extended distance but remains optimistic, stating, “The way he consistently finishes his races indicates he can handle it. My primary hope for races like this weekend is a cleaner trip. To triumph against such formidable competition, one cannot afford numerous obstacles to overcome.”
Originally, Calhoun had planned for Our Moneyman to compete in the 1 1/8-mile West Virginia Derby (G3) on August 9, following the Indiana Derby. However, the sale of the horse altered these plans. Calhoun explained that the original ownership intended to follow the path of Our Moneyman’s sire, Mr. Money, who won the West Virginia Derby. With the change of ownership and the sale, the West Virginia Derby was removed from their schedule.
Our Moneyman’s most recent victory, the Crescent City Derby on March 22, occurred after a two-month break and marked his first two-turn test. Calhoun is hopeful for similar success on Saturday, with Manny Franco now riding. Calhoun anticipates a competitive pace, believing Our Moneyman possesses the tactical speed to settle and then make his decisive move from a stalking position. He envisions a scenario where Franco allows the horse to run his race strategically.
Calhoun is striving for his third career Grade 1 victory, building on his successes with Dubai Majesty in the 2010 Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Sprint and Finley’sluckycharm in the 2018 Madison. He expresses confidence in Our Moneyman’s preparation, noting the horse’s consistent training. A victory on Saturday would undoubtedly be a significant achievement for the team.