John Clay: With a last-minute entry, Kenny McPeek is back in the Kentucky Derby

John Clay, Lexington Herald-Leader on Apr 28, 2025

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LEXINGTON, Ky. — Even after winning the 150th running of the Kentucky Derby, Kenny McPeek didn’t think he’d have a horse for No. 151.

“As you probably heard, I advised that really probably an allowance race was a better idea,” the Lexington native said Saturday night at the post position draw for the 2025 Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs. “But there’s some sentiment here. This is one of the last horses owned by Toby Keith, the singer, and his family and I think they’re really excited about this and they should be.”

The horse is Render Judgment, the fifth-place finisher in the Toyota Blue Grass Stakes at Keeneland on April 8 that until Saturday morning was 21st on the Kentucky Derby leaderboard for the 20-horse race.

That was before Tappan Street suffered a condylar fracture during his 5-furlong work of :59.60 on Saturday morning for trainer Brad Cox. Though not life-threatening, the injury took the Florida Derby winner out of the Kentucky Derby field, opening a spot for Render Judgment, who drew the No. 15 post for the big race.

Back in the Kentucky Derby after a three-year suspension, trainer Bob Baffert saw his 2-year-old champion Citizen Bull draw the dreaded No. 1 post. Expected favorite Journalism drew the No. 8 post for trainer Michael McCarthy.

Render Judgment’s last-minute entry put McPeek back in the race he won last year with Mystik Dan, which followed the trainer’s victory in the Kentucky Oaks with Thorpedo Anna.

“Last year was unbelievable,” McPeek admitted. “If you’d asked me 30 years ago, 40 years ago, from where I started, that I’d end up in an Oaks/Derby double, I probably would have giggled. But you know what, I worked my tail off.”

Mystik Dan was an $18.61-1 horse a year ago. Render Judgment will enter the gate with much higher odds. He was placed at 30-1 in Mike Battaglia’s morning line after the draw.

The son of Blame did break his maiden at Churchill Downs last October before running fifth in the Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes at the famed track. McPeek took the colt to Louisiana, where he ran eighth in the Grade 2 Risen Star at Fair Grounds on Feb. 15. Render Judgment then ran second to fellow Kentucky Derby entry American Promise in the Virginia Derby.

“He always runs well, but he really needs to find another level,” McPeek said.

Still, when the owners — Baccari Racing Stable, Dream Walkin Farms, MJM Racing and Rocket Ship Racing — told the trainer they wanted to run in the Kentucky Derby, McPeek agreed.

“I work for them and we’re gonna do that,” he said after Render Judgment worked five furlongs in :59.03 on Saturday morning at Churchill. “After the work today, I was excited. That’s the best work he’s ever put in.”

Meanwhile, McPeek has one of the top contenders for Friday’s Kentucky Oaks in Take Charge Milady, that is if the runner-up in the Ashland Stakes runs.

“We’re dealing with a small issue with her,” McPeek said. “She’s had a little abscess pop out of her coronet band. It’s small in the scheme of things, but these things are tricky. If we have a good week, I think we’ll make the race. If it’s still bothering her at the end of the week, there’s a chance we won’t be able to run.”

Brian Hernandez Jr., who completed the Oaks/Derby double last year with McPeek, will ride Take Charge Milady. Hernandez is committed to Blue Grass Stakes winner Burnham Square in the Kentucky Derby. Julien Leparoux will ride Render Judgment.

One factor in the colt’s favor is that he has won a race at Churchill.

“I think it definitely matters, no question,” McPeek said. “And he’s had a few reasons why he didn’t win some of the earlier races. At the same time, with his speed numbers, he’s got to find another level. We’ll see if he can do that.”

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