A promising contender in the upcoming Kentucky Derby 2025, California Burrito, has captured attention with a series of notable performances. Under the guidance of trainer Tom Drury Jr., this Army Mule colt is steadily climbing the leaderboard, currently holding the 25th position with 20 points. His victory in the John Battaglia Memorial at Turfway Park in February significantly bolstered his standing. However, a recent setback occurred during the Grade 3 Jeff Ruby when he finished seventh due to an unsteady step near the final stretch.
California Burrito's journey on the track began on dirt surfaces, where he achieved significant milestones, such as breaking his maiden status at Churchill Downs and securing second place in an optional-claiming allowance there. Transitioning to Turfway Park, he demonstrated resilience by achieving two wins out of four races, despite the challenging loss in the Jeff Ruby. Recently, he has been showcasing impressive speed at Churchill Downs, completing four furlongs in 47.0 seconds, marking him as one of the fastest among 55 competitors at that distance.
For Tom Drury Jr., a Louisville native renowned for training Art Collector to triumph in the 2020 Blue Grass (G2), this represents an exciting opportunity to make history in the Kentucky Derby. The dedication and hard work of both horse and trainer highlight the importance of perseverance and determination in achieving greatness within the competitive world of horse racing. Their journey exemplifies how setbacks can be transformed into stepping stones toward success, inspiring all who follow their progress.
