Associated Press
LOUISVILLE, Ky. -- Too small. Won't go the distance. No chance to win the Kentucky Derby.
That's the take on Came Home, the hardworking colt who just keeps winning despite such supposed shortcomings.
"I can't do anything about what people are saying," Came Home's trainer Paco Gonzalez said, probably for the umpteenth time. "He's been doing great. He's done everything he's been asked to. Everything has been perfect so far."
With six wins in seven starts, including the Santa Anita Derby on April 6, Came Home will be one of the favorites for Saturday's $1 million Derby, along with Harlan's Holiday. But the dark bay son of Gone West still has to prove he can win going long despite bloodlines that say he can't.
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"Looking at his speed figures, his performance gets steadily worse with every additional furlong he runs," said Andrew Beyer, handicapper and racing columnist for The Washington Post.
Nonetheless, Came Home is still winning, even as the distance increases. He's 3-for-3 this year, taking the seven-furlong San Vicente by four lengths, the mile San Rafael by three lengths and the 1 1-8-mile Santa Anita Derby by 21⁄4; lengths.
