From pauper to prince, there is little in the sport of horse racing more alluring than the dream of striking it rich with a bargain-basement purchase. Recent West Virginia Derby winner Chunk of Gold is this year’s best exemplification.
To say the son of Preservationist didn’t attract much attention as a yearling would be an understatement. Sold for a mere $2,500 at the Fasig-Tipton Kentucky yearling sale of 2023, Chunk of Gold already has earned nearly $700,000 in only seven career starts to date.
Following in the footsteps of some of America’s greatest horses such as John Henry and Seattle Slew, Chunk of Gold is proving there is far more to a horse than a price tag.
In sharp contrast to the 25 million-dollar yearlings purchased last week at the Fasig-Tipton Saratoga sale, the majority of the nation’s young thoroughbreds can be secured for far more budget-friendly prices.
Racing produces a continuous supply of good horses available for a fraction of the cost of the high-priced babies who make headlines at the most glamorous sales. And Chunk of Gold is a very good horse.
Having already earned nearly 300 times his purchase price, that impressive number could rise substantially next month.
In our recent conversation, trainer Ethan West told me the Grade 1, $1 million Pennsylvania Derby is the most likely spot for the colt’s next start. Given his most recent result, Chunk of Gold will have a big shot in the rich race at Parx on Sept. 20.
After already running second in four stakes races this year, the dark gray colt owned by Terry Stephens was fitted with blinkers for the first time last Sunday in the West Virginia Derby (G3) at Mountaineer.
“We noticed he was taking a bit longer to get engaged when asked, we wanted a more instant response from him, and when we trained him in the blinkers, it seemed to give us just that,” West said.
The plan came together perfectly. With race favorite East Avenue stumbling out of the gate, Chunk of Gold with regular rider Jareth Loveberry in the irons went right to the lead in the $400,000 affair. The race was as good as over.
The second choice in the field of eight, Chunk of Gold maintained a working margin up the backstretch before asserting himself turning for home.
He was much the best down the lane and hit the wire 4 1/4 lengths clear of runner-up McAfee, who is a half-brother to champion Thorpedo Anna and was ridden by Hall of Fame jockey John Velázquez. The final time for the nine furlongs over a fast track was 1:50.97.
The winning trainer credited Loveberry for an excellent ride after the race, and it was, but the decision by West to add blinkers also seemed to help Chunk of Gold.
It’s not hard to appreciate the result of the West Virginia Derby after the steady run of performances by Chunk of Gold. After rallying to win a maiden sprint over the synthetic surface at Turfway Park in his career debut in December, the consistent colt had been knocking on the door in four stakes races.
Following a solid second in the Leonatus Stakes at Turfway in January, Chunk of Gold moved south with his young trainer and promptly finished second in two major Kentucky Derby preps in New Orleans.
Picking up the underrated Loveberry as his regular rider, Chunk of Gold surprised as runner-up in the Risen Star Stakes (G2) at Fair Grounds at odds of 43-1. He backed up that result with an even better performance to run second of 10 in the $1 million Louisiana Derby (G2) in March.
His Fair Grounds’ results were enough to qualify the $2,500 colt a spot in the Kentucky Derby, a first for his trainer.
After a bit of a rough start over the wet racing surface at Churchill Downs, Chunk of Gold moved up into contention early into a very fast pace but could manage only a ninth-place effort in this year’s run for the roses.
Following that with a good effort when second in the Ohio Derby (G3) in June, Chunk of Gold was ready and due for a breakthrough victory in West Virginia.
The authoritative victory raised his career record to 7: 2-4-0 and pushed his career earnings to $695,218.
Adding to the West Virginia Derby storyline was the recent death of his young sire. Preservationist was a Grade 1-winning son of Arch, who passed away in Korea in July. We learned of his death at the untimely age of 12 just days before Chunk of Gold’s breakthrough win.
As a runner Preservationist was a late developing colt who came to hand as an older horse. A $485,000 yearling purchase, he won the Suburban (G2) and Woodward (G1) at age 6.
In his first crop, he sired the stakes winners Antiquarian and Band of Gold. Out of Cairo Prince broodmare Play for Gold, the latter is a full sister to Chunk of Gold.
After securing his initial graded stakes victory and doing it in style, Chunk of Gold returned to his home base of Turfway Park, where he will stay until he ships out for his next start.
West plans to stick with Loveberry, who has ridden Chunk of Gold in five straight starts, all of which were graded stakes.
“I think he gets along with most horses honestly. He sits quiet and has a great set of hands,” West said.
Along with Chunk of Gold, the two complete a likable trio and a feel-good, underdog story. And it’s a story that is far from over.
With only seven career starts and coming off his finest race yet, the future looks bright for the popular colt. West, who not only trains but also acts as Chunk of Gold’s exercise rider, is hopeful for continued improvement.
“I don’t think we’ve gotten to the bottom quite yet,” West said.
When asked if the plan is to run their stable star next year at 4, his trainer was quick to respond.
“Absolutely,” West said. “As long as he’s healthy, he’ll stay in training.”
The rags-to-riches dream offered by Thoroughbred horse racing is alive and well. Chunk of Gold is happily proof positive of that.
