Chief Wallabee Should Benefit from Rough Run in Derby
While trainer Bill Mott came up short in his bid to become the first trainer in 28 years to win consecutive Kentucky Derbies, he stands a strong chance to achieve a different milestone — becoming the first trainer in 30 years to capture back-to-back editions of the Belmont Stakes.
Mott won last year’s Kentucky Derby with Sovereignty, who skipped the Preaknessbefore returning five weeks later to win the Belmont Stakes. This year, Mott sent out Chief Wallabee, who finished fourth in the Derby, leaving Bob Baffert (1997–98) as the most recent trainer to score consecutive Derby victories. That performance suggested Chief Wallabee could be a major player in the $2 million Belmont Stakes on June 6 at Saratoga. The last trainer to win consecutive Belmonts was D. Wayne Lukas, who took three straight from 1994 to 1996. Since then, 11 trainers have attempted the feat without success.
Mott’s decision to bypass the 2025 Preakness with his Derby winner sparked some criticism, as he and Godolphin were second-guessed for passing on a potential Triple Crown bid. But Sovereignty validated that choice by winning the Belmont, Jim Dandy, and Travers, earning the title of Horse of the Year despite missing the Breeders’ Cup due to illness.
Beyond his considerable talent, Sovereigntyalso had experience on his side — three starts as a 2-year-old, and the Derby was his third start at age 3. Chief Wallabee, by contrast, did not race at two and did not debut until January 10. As a result, Mott noted that Chief Wallabee was always “playing catch-up,” which may have contributed to his narrow defeats to Commandment in both the Fountain of Youthand Florida Derby.
Learning from Experience
Reflecting on history, Mott compared the situation to 1988, when Forty Niner and Seeking the Gold were among the top 3-year-olds. Forty Niner, who defeated Seeking the Gold in both the Haskell and Travers, had six starts at two, winning four stakes. Seeking the Gold, however, didn’t debut until December 27 of his juvenile year.
“He always kind of stands out to me as he was just that little bit of experience away from being as good as Forty Niner,” Mott said.
Mott admitted he wondered if Chief Wallabee’s lack of seasoning might hurt his Derby performance. Ultimately, the colt finished fourth — three lengths behind Golden Tempo and Renegade, who were separated by a neck at the wire — after encountering some trouble during the race.
Sent off as the 7-1 fifth choice in the 18-horse Kentucky Derby, Chief Wallabee raced mid-pack down the backstretch, steadied slightly approaching the top of the stretch, and was then bumped in midstretch by Further Ado when Ocelli came in on Commandment, triggering a chain reaction.
“He proved to me that he had some determination,” Mott said. “I thought getting bothered the way he did, he dug in and came on and got up for fourth money. With a clean trip, maybe he gets a little more than that.”
Preparing for the Belmont
Mott said the idea of running in the Preakness was never considered by owners Katherine and Mike Ball. Instead, the plan was to target the Belmont Stakes, which Mott also won in 2010 with Drosselmeyer.
Chief Wallabee, Mott explained, was “such an inexperienced horse, with the lack of foundation that you’d prefer to have going into the Kentucky Derby.” Asking him to run back two weeks later would have been too demanding.
“He didn’t have the foundation in him to do it,” Mott said. “I didn’t think it was the right thing to do. Having five weeks in between would suit him a little better, give him more recovery time from the Derby, and give him an opportunity to show a little better in the Belmont.”
Sharp Workouts and Possible Rivals
Chief Wallabee has recorded two workouts at Saratoga. On May 16, he covered a half-mile in 48.60 seconds, and on Saturday, he worked five furlongs in 1:01.16, according to Daily Racing Form clocker Mike Welsch. He worked in company with the 3-year-old Gilded Bandit, timed in 48 seconds for a half-mile, who is pointing to the Grade 1 Woody Stephens.
“He worked well, looks good, eating well,” Mott said. “He doesn’t look like he’s lost any weight. He looks like he’s still carrying his flesh well enough.”
Chief Wallabee is expected to have one more workout next weekend before facing what could be a 10-horse Belmont field. Potential opponents include at least five he met in the Kentucky Derby: Golden Tempo (1st), Renegade (2nd), Commandment (7th), Emerging Market (10th), and Potente (12th)— along with Preakness third Chip Honcho, Peter Pan winner Growth Equity, Blue Grassrunner-up Ottinho, and maiden winner Powershift. Ocelli, third in the Derby and fourth in the Preakness, is a possible starter as well.
Chief Wallabee is projected to be among the top four choices in the wagering, likely behind Renegade, the Derby second choice; Golden Tempo, who won the Derby at 23-1; and possibly Commandment, the Derbyfourth choice.
“With the race under him in the Derby, and with that little bit more experience and the time in between, hopefully, that makes him a factor in the Belmont,” Mott said.
Ocelli’s Status Still Undecided
The maiden Ocelli, third in the Kentucky Derby and fourth in the Preakness, could become the only horse to compete in all three legs of this year’s Triple Crown — if he runs.
Trainer Whit Beckman said Sunday that Ocelli is scheduled to work at Churchill Downs on Saturday, after which a decision will be made regarding the Belmont. Beckman and his ownership group are also considering an early July maiden race, with the Travers Stakes on August 29 as a long-term goal.
“So far, I’m happy with his overall condition, no worse for the wear,” Beckman said, noting that Ocelli emerged from the Preakness in good shape.
Incredibolt and Robusta — the other two horses to run in both the Kentucky Derbyand Preakness — are not expected to compete in the Belmont.
Trainer Chad Brown confirmed Monday that Manny Franco will ride Growth Equity in the Belmont Stakes. Franco has piloted Growth Equity twice, including a maiden victory at Aqueduct on March 20.
As of Monday, riding assignments for Chip Honcho, Commandment, Powershift, and Potente had not yet been announced.
