Emerging Market gives Chad Brown fresh Kentucky Derby hope at Churchill Downs
Chad Brown has never won the Kentucky Derby, finsihed runner-up twice, most recently in 2024
Chad Brown has never won the Kentucky Derby, finsihed runner-up twice, most recently in 2024
Chad Brown has never won the Kentucky Derby, finsihed runner-up twice, most recently in 2024
A rainy Wednesday morning at Churchill Downs brought raincoats for trainers and a muddy track for the horses, but neither seemed to bother Chad Brown or his Kentucky Derby contender, Emerging Market.
Brown said the colt handled the wet conditions well during his latest work and continues to impress since arriving at Churchill.
“Excellent. The horse is getting over the track very well,” Brown said. “Had a rainy track today, but he got over it good. I’ve been very happy since he arrived at Churchill.”
Brown is still searching for his first Kentucky Derby victory, having finished runner-up twice, most recently in 2024. This year, he hopes Emerging Market could be the horse to change that.
Though lightly raced, Emerging Market enters the Derby undefeated in two starts. Brown believes the colt’s talent and temperament give him a real chance on racing’s biggest stage.
“Well, he’s only run twice, but both of them being wins and he has a lot of ability,” Brown said. “And he’s got a great mind to handle everything about the Derby with all the couple hundred thousand people and such. So, he gives me a lot of confidence.”
History is not exactly on Emerging Market’s side. Only one horse has ever won the Kentucky Derby with just two previous starts, and that came all the way back in 1883. Still, the colt’s resume includes an eye-catching victory in the Louisiana Derby, where he battled to the wire in just his second career start.
Brown said that effort, especially at a demanding mile and 3/16, showed the colt’s readiness.
“Yeah, I mean, it was only the second career start and going quite a long distance, a mile and 3/16,” Brown said. “He’s had the longest prep of any of the Derby starters. So he’s got that under his belt. I was very pleased with the outcome.”
With the scratch of Silent Tactic on Wednesday, Emerging Market will break from post 14 on Derby Day, a draw Brown sees as an advantage. However, the last winner out of that post was Carryback in 1961.
“Yeah, nice clear run to the outside,” Brown said. “I didn’t want to be inside with this horse. And so I hope we can work out a trip from there.”
With a calm mindset, proven ability, and a trainer eager to break through, Emerging Market heads into the Kentucky Derby as an intriguing contender.
