2013 Kentucky Derby horses: Normandy Invasion
Normandy Invasion might not do a whole lotta running early, but he’ll be picking them up and putting them down as fast as any horse in the field at the end of Saturday’s Kentucky Derby.
Andy Lyons
Stallion Profile: Tapit
Of all of the stallions in North America, one currently stands above the rest: Tapit. He's made his mark to the point that there is speculation he could be in such demand that his stud fee could begin to approach the high end fees of the 1980s. (Photo: Matthew Stockman/Getty Images Sport) Sire: Tapit
Dam: Boston Lady
Damsire: Boston Harbor
Trainer: Chad Brown
Jockey: Javier Castellano
Owner: Fox Hill Farms
Record: 5-1-2-0
Earnings: $300,240
Notable Races: 2nd, G1-Wood Memorial; 5th, G2-Risen Star; 2nd, G2-Remsen
Positives: A hard charging closer that prefers to do his best running late in a race, Normandy Invasion . The pace of this year’s Wood Memorial was pretty slow which required Normandy Invasion to race closer to the pace than his three prior races. But despite the slow pace, he was still able to close hard and make up good ground on the horses in front of him even though Verrazano was clearly the best horse in the field.
In his first race of 2013, Normandy Invasion finished fifth in the Risen Star in a race that looked a bit messy visually but came back pretty strong on paper, so I think we can give him credit for a couple of good efforts this year against solid competition. Trainer Chad Brown has yet to win a Kentucky Derby, but you get the feeling it's only matter of time for this native of Sarasota Springs, New York.
Wood Memorial Photo Finish
Normandy Invasion edges Vyjack for the Place in the Wood Memorial, earning 40 valuable points towards a start in the 2013 Kentucky Derby. (via NYRA Photo Finishes) With this hard-charging late running style, Normandy Invasion is a horse that one could classify as a must-use in deep trifecta and superfecta tickets.
Negatives: Like a lot of colts in this field, Normandy Invasion has just a single maiden victory on his resume. And while his lack of victories won’t preclude him from winning on Saturday, it would be nice to see some good, winning performances prior to the Derby, instead of good “oh-so-close” finishes. Additionally, while his running style should help him get the distance of the Derby, he’ll likely have to go through or around a lot of horses if he’s going to work his way to the front in the stretch drive.
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