Reagan’s Wit Shows Guts and Talent in James W. Murphy Stakes Victory

Reagan’s Wit, a promising chestnut colt by Authentic, showcased a blend of greenness and raw talent to capture the $100,000 James W. Murphy Stakes at Pimlico Race Course.

Despite some erratic moments in the stretch, the Cherie DeVaux trainee pulled clear to win by an impressive 3 1/4 lengths under jockey Jose Ortiz, finishing the one-mile turf contest in 1:40.25.

The race saw Curahee break sharply and establish an early lead, dictating the pace through fractions of :24.07 for the quarter-mile and :48.69 for the half-mile.

Stormy Flight pressed the pace on the outside. Meanwhile, Reagan’s Wit, the 1-2 favorite, settled a few lengths behind the leaders, appearing to jostle with Barbadian Runner early on.

As the field rounded the far turn, Reagan’s Wit, racing well off the inner rail, began to make his move. Positioned between horses, Ortiz had the colt in hand, patiently awaiting an opening.

Entering the stretch, Reagan’s Wit found a seam and surged to the front near the eighth pole. Despite lugging in noticeably and drifting out late, he drew off under mild urging to secure his first black-type victory.

“He does that when he makes the lead,” commented winning rider Jose Ortiz. “He doesn’t slow down and he didn’t brush the rail. He’s pretty green. I was ready for it. I knew it was coming I’m very excited about the way he ran today. Hopefully he matures a little after this.”

Trainer Cherie DeVaux, who celebrated her second stakes win of the day, also acknowledged the colt’s quirks. “Really pleased with him,” DeVaux stated. “He’s kind of a goofy horse. He showed that in the stretch. Jose [Ortiz] did a really good job keeping him to task and staying on the horse, most importantly… He has always shown a lot of ability. He’s taken some time.” DeVaux also recounted a previous setback, noting, “He ran a race at Ellis, then he injured himself in the trailer when he was supposed to run at Indiana, gave himself a pretty nasty wound behind. It just took him some time to get to the races, but now that he’s back, he’s slowly putting it together.”

Soleil Volant, under Flavien Prat, stalked the pace and rallied in the stretch after being floated five wide, securing second place.

Twain, ridden by Weston Hamilton, saved ground along the rail and advanced to contention in mid-stretch before flattening out to finish third. Barbadian Runner finished fourth.

Bred in Kentucky by Deann Baer & Greg Baer DVM, Reagan’s Wit is owned by West Point Thoroughbreds, Ingordo, David, and CJ Stables.

This victory marked his second win from five career starts and boosted his earnings significantly. The colt is a son of Kentucky Derby winner Authentic out of the Sunday Break (JPN) mare Dayienu. He is a half-brother to the graded stakes-placed Reagan’s Edge.

Terry Finley of West Point Thoroughbreds remarked on the win, “He came through that hole and then he started fooling around…But, as the jock (Jose Ortiz) said, it’s a lot better to have that happen and have him swerve like that as opposed to getting to the lead and stopping and then a horse comes from the back of the pack.”

The James W. Murphy Stakes was part of a blockbuster Preakness Stakes undercard program at Pimlico.

Scratched Horse(s): Clock Tower (Trainer), End of Romance (IRE) (Trainer), Mission Artemis (Trainer)

Fractional Times: 24.07, 48.69, 1:14.41, 1:27.29
Final Time: 1:40.25

Winning Connections

Winner: Reagan’s Wit
Jockey: Jose Ortiz
Trainer: Cherie DeVaux
Owner: West Point Thoroughbreds, David Ingordo, and CJ Stables
Breeder: Deann Baer & Greg Baer DVM
Bloodline: Reagan’s Wit, Chestnut Colt, by Authentic out of Dayienu, by Sunday Break (JPN). Foaled March 13, 2022 in Kentucky.
Authentic stands at Spendthrift Farm, in Lexington, KY. ($15,000 Live Foal)

Payouts

• $1.00 Exacta (7-6) Paid: $5.40
• $1.00 Trifecta (7-6-1) Paid: $26.40
• $1.00 Superfecta (7-6-1-4) Paid: $122.40

Race Replay