Trainer: Bob Baffert
Jockey: Martin Garcia
Dortmund started taking action in early Kentucky Derby wagering last November after winning his first two career starts by a combined 12 lengths.
The Baffert trainee made his stakes debut in the Los Alamitos Futurity on Dec. 20 where he was sent off as the chalk and had to battle in the stretch with Firing Line, prevailing by a hard-fought head.
Those two met up again in the Robert B. Lewis Stakes on Feb. 7 at Santa Anita and again they hooked up in the stretch, Dortmund coming back along the rail in deep stretch to win by a head again.
Next up for the strapping colt was the San Felipe Stakes on March 7 at Santa Anita, and he put in his most impressive effort, drawing clear to win by 1 ¼ lengths as the 4-5 betting favorite. He beat a strong group that included Prospect Park, Bolo and Lord Nelson in that effort.
The victory moved him ahead of his stablemate American Pharoah in early Kentucky Derby wagering, making him the slight favorite. As it stands now, it is a tossup who would be the betting favorite among the Baffert duo on the first Saturday of May, but they both have one prep race to be run.
His final prep for Louisville will come in the Santa Anita Derby on April 4 where he will again put his undefeated record at risk. The colt figures to go off at a short price in that outing.
His pedigree suggests he can handle the 1 ¼ mile distance. His sire is Kentucky Derby winner Big Brown and his mare is the stakes winner Our Josephine.
The colt has the advantage of a race over the Churchill Downs main track. He beat first level allowance optional claimers in his second career outing on Nov. 29, trouncing the field by 7 ¼ lengths.
Along with American Pharoah, Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert has a very good duo as he attempts to win his fourth Kentucky Derby and first since War Emblem in 2002.