Kentucky Derby Maiden Watch: Ezum wins by 19 1/2 lengths

Ezum isn’t currently nominated to the Triple Crown, but that could change after the gray colt obliterated a one-mile maiden special weight on Saturday at Colonial Downs.

The Brad Cox trainee won in spectacular fashion, and with seven weeks remaining until the 2026 Kentucky Derby (G1), there’s still time for Ezum to contest one of the final-round Road to the Kentucky Derby qualifiers and earn a spot in the Churchill Downs starting gate.

Unsurprisingly, Ezum is the top-ranked horse in this week’s edition of Kentucky Derby Maiden Watch.

Ezum

Purchased for $485,000 as a weanling, Ezum showed only flashes of ability when debuting a seven-furlong maiden special weight on Feb. 7 at Gulfstream Park. Sent off at 14-1 odds, he led through an opening-quarter mile in :23.27, dropped back to second through half a mile in :46.74, and then tired to finish ninth, beaten 24 1/2 lengths.

Ezum’s second start came at Colonial, and his improvement was dramatic. Sent off at even-money under two-time Eclipse Award-winning jockey Flavien Prat, Ezum dashed to the lead through fractions of :23.65, :46.89, and 1:10.98, then blazed his final two furlongs in :11.42 and :11.83 over a fast-playing track to smash his rivals by 19 1/2 lengths.

Ezum reached the finish line in a sharp time of 1:34.23. His second start was miles better than his first, so there’s no telling how high this son of two-time champion Essential Quality might ultimately ascend.

Ramajay

Another notable maiden winner on Saturday at Colonial was Ramajay, a son of 2021 Horse of the Year Knicks Go trained by Saffie Joseph Jr.

Purchased for only $55,000 as a two-year-old in training, Ramajay lost his first five starts, but finished second in four of them, showing signs of talent.

His graduation came in a six-furlong maiden special weight. Facing only three rivals, Ramajay opened up a three-length lead through a modest opening quarter-mile in :23.05. He allowed his rivals to draw closer through half a mile in :45.70, but then clocked his final two furlongs in :11.20 and :11.83 to triumph by 2 1/4 lengths in 1:08.73.

It’s possible sprinting is Ramajay’s strong suit; he finished sixth in his lone route race to date. But it’s too early to say for certain. Remember, Knicks Go started off a miler before maturing at age five to win the 1 1/4-mile Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1).

American Man

At Oaklawn Park, $475,000 auction acquisition American Man debuted victorious for trainer Dallas Stewart in a six-furlong maiden special weight on Sunday.

The son of Maclean’s Music showed speed from the start, leading by one length through quick splits of :21.80 and :45.17. But he also displayed a strong finishing kick, getting his final two furlongs in :12.19 and :12.24 to hold off a late runner by 1 1/2 lengths in the snappy time of 1:09.60.

American Man’s pedigree suggests classic distances are within reach. He may have gotten started too late to target the Kentucky Derby, but races like the Preakness (G1) or Belmont (G1) could be viable goals if his connections make him a late nominee to the Triple Crown.

Unsearchable

Unsearchable debuted on Feb. 7 in the same seven-furlong maiden special weight at Gulfstream Park as Ezum. Suffice to say, Unsearchable fared better, rallying to finish third by 3 1/4 lengths while pulling 21 1/4 lengths ahead of Ezum.

But whereas Ezum came back to win his second start by 19 1/2 lengths, Unsearchable had to work hard to triumph in his second test, which came on Saturday in another seven-furlong maiden special weight at Gulfstream. The son of Not This Time rated in fifth place early on, as many as six lengths behind splits of :22.05 and :44.14, before launching a late rally to score by half a length.

Unsearchable closed four lengths through the final furlong alone to reach the finish line in 1:22.97. He’s progressing in the right direction for trainer Rusty Arnold and warrants respect as spring unfolds.

Winter Holiday

The third time was the charm for Winter Holiday. After finishing second in his first two starts sprinting over the Tapeta track at Turfway Park, the son of Frosted relished stretching out for a one-mile maiden special weight on Wednesday at Turfway, tracking fractions of :24.36, :48.70, and 1:14.27 before taking over to win by 4 1/4 lengths.

A Godolphin homebred trained by Eoin Harty, Winter Holiday stopped the clock in 1:38.87. There’s still time for him to tackle a Road to the Kentucky Derby qualifier like the Blue Grass (G1) at Keeneland, if his connections opt for an ambitious path.

Top maiden winner of the week: Ezum

Honorable mention: American Man