Spendthrift Farm’s Kentucky-bred Kopian scored the second Grade 1 win of her career with a decisive victory in the $1 million Derby City Distaff (G1) on Kentucky Derby Day at Churchill Downs.
Ridden by Kazushi Kimura, Kopian swept to the front passing the eighth pole and drew off for a decisive 3-length victory over Hope Road. Trained by Hall of Famer Richard Mandella, Kopian completed the seven furlongs over a sloppy track in 1:21.76.
Now a two-time Grade 1 winner and a winner in 5-of-7 starts overall, Kopion is a 4-year-old daughter of Omaha Beach out of the Victory Gallop mare Galloping Ami.
“She’s been training beautifully in the morning and the question was just how she’d handle it here in Kentucky,” said Kazushi Kimura. “She loved this track and is such a special filly. It was so special to win on Oaks Day.”
As for his charge encountering a sloppy track, Mandella said, “I had no concern at all. You know, being down in post two, you’re worried about her getting buried. She did get off a little bit slower than I thought she would, but the jock had a lot of confidence in her and he rode her that way. And the more we go, the smarter she gets. She’s starting to make it look like I know something.
“How much better can she get? Well, I hope there’s upside, but I don’t know where you get it,” Mandella added. She’s done a lot already. We think she can get two turns, but I don’t know if I want to fool with it until after the Breeders’ Cup.”