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Fierceness<\/b> has once again claimed the top position in the competition among 3-year-old male horses with his impressive victory in the Grade 1 Travers Stakes. Yet, the contest for supremacy continues. Another promising young colt, Dragoon Guard<\/b>, trained by Brad Cox, is rapidly climbing the ranks.<\/p>\n
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Last seen dominating the competition at the $500,000 West Virginia Derby (G3) at Mountaineer Park, Dragoon Guard maintained his perfect record, now standing at 4-for-4 in 2024. He led from start to finish. Although this event doesn’t quite match the high-profile atmosphere of Saratoga’s mid-summer derby, his performance over the 1 1\/8 miles marked a significant advancement for the late-developing gray colt.<\/p>\n
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Being a product of Arrogate\u2019s final crop, Dragoon Guard is expected to venture into more challenging territories soon. With the Pennsylvania Derby (G1) on September 21 appearing to be next on his schedule, he will face a tougher field potentially including Preakness winner Seize the Grey<\/b> and Santa Anita Derby (G1) victor Stronghold<\/b>, along with other recent stakes winners like E J Won the Cup and Gould’s Gold.<\/p>\n
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Dragoon Guard, a homebred for Juddmonte Farm, has been preparing at his home base at Churchill Downs since his victory in West Virginia. This past Saturday, the impressive colt completed a brisk five-furlong workout in 59.8 seconds on a warm morning in Louisville, KY.<\/p>\n
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The colt not only carries the legacy of his champion sire but also boasts a distinguished maternal lineage. He is out of the Mizzen Mast mare Filimbi, a consistent winner of seven races including the Goldikova Stakes (G2) a decade ago. Filimbi is also a daughter of the renowned 2021 Kentucky Oaks (G1) and Alabama (G1) winner, Flute.<\/p>\n
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Dragoon Guard had an unremarkable season at age two, with only one start in a seven-furlong maiden race at Churchill Downs. There, he narrowly lost by a neck to the soon-to-be stakes winner, Otto the Conqueror, after a challenging stretch duel.<\/p>\n
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This season has been a smooth journey, with Cox skillfully guiding the promising horse. Dragoon Guard made his 2024 debut in April at Lexington, effortlessly winning a Keeneland maiden race over the Beard course.<\/p>\n
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Following his maiden victory, he returned to Churchill Downs in early June for a one-turn mile, where he was heavily favored at 4-5. He easily secured an allowance victory, prompting his connections to challenge him further in both distance and competition level.<\/p>\n
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His stakes debut came in the Indiana Derby (G3), where he showcased his speed and easily controlled the race, ultimately securing a victory over Grade 1 winner Stronghold. This marked his first successful attempt at a two-turn race.<\/p>\n
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The colt\u2019s subsequent 2 3\/4-length victory in West Virginia under jockey Florent G\u00e9roux was straightforward and decisive. Each of his four wins this year has been a testament to his consistent and dominating performance, setting the stage for more significant challenges.<\/p>\n
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With notable Grade 1 winners like Fierceness, Dornoch, Mystic Dan, and Sierra Leone in this strong crop of 3-year-old males, Dragoon Guard is definitely a contender to watch. He is poised to be a formidable opponent in the upcoming $1 million Grade 1 race at Parx in three weeks, with potential for even greater achievements in his future.<\/p>\n\n\n