Dunph, a Mike Recio/Rockbridge Bloodstock recommended juvenile purchase, ran a good third in the $400,000 Springboard Mile on December 16 at Remington Park. The effort earned him two points on the official “Road to the Kentucky Derby” qualifying series.
The bay gelding raced four to five paths wide around the first turn while forwardly placed. He and rider Reylu Guiterrez never could secure and inside position and went into the far turn in the three path while vying for the lead. Dunph led narrowly into the lane but the extra ground covered took its toll and he stubbornly settled for the show spot.
The well-traveled Dunph won his debut by 8 1/2 lengths on September 15 at Penn National and confirmed his quality the following month with a 7 3/4-length romp in the $300,000 Spendthrift Farm Juvenile Stallion Stakes at Churchill Downs. He had trouble handling the sealed/sloppy surface as a 9/2 choice in the Grade 2 Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes, checking in 9th but ahead of favored Breeders’ Futurity (G1) winner Knicks Go.
Dunph is a son of Temple City, best known at this point as the sire of the great Lady Eli. He was purchased at the OBS March Sale earlier this year by Golden Rock Thoroughbreds on advice of Rockbridge Bloodstock.
Other promising Rockbridge juvenile purchases this year include Getouttamyway, a winner of two of her first four starts.
South Point Sales & Rockbridge Bloodstock 