Tencendur Set to Run a Monster Effort in Kentucky Derby

Tencendur Set to Run a Monster Effort in Kentucky Derby: Of the twenty Kentucky Derby entrants, Tencendur is likely to go off as one of the biggest longshots.

Owned and bred by Philip S. Birsh, Tencendur is a New York-bred bay colt by Warrior’s Reward and out of Still Secret, by Hennessy. Claiming only a maiden win out of five starts, Tencendur seems to be a bit on the slower side of maturing. In his only juvenile race in December, Tencendur finished a distant third to eventual Withers Stakes (GIII) winner Far From Over after breaking badly and running wide throughout.

Tencendur then broke his maiden over a mile in his second lifetime start this year before making the bold jump into the important New York three-year-old stakes races. Tencendur finished fourth in the Withers and fifth in the Gotham Stakes (III), each time finishing behind fellow Derby hopeful El Kabeir

In undoubtedly the best performance of his career, Tencendur finished second to Frosted in the 1-1/8-mile Wood Memorial (GI). The colt outran El Kabeir who was 3-3/4 lengths back in third and racked up enough points to put him on the points leaderboard in fifteenth place with 41 points.

As all Kentucky Derby connections hope, perhaps Tencendur is set to peak at just the right time for a run in the Derby, but it is hard to imagine this colt’s peak being of enough substance to run with the dominant favorites Dortmund, American Pharoah, and Carpe Diem. Along with the possibility that he’s peaking, his typical utilization of the stalker running style could place him close enough to the front to take advantage of a pace meltdown, but there will certainly be multiple other horses intending to do the same.

Regardless of the various questions that swirl around even the most proven of Kentucky Derby contenders, trainer George Weaver and assistant trainer Blair Golen certainly believe in the quality of their charge. To avoid the predicted rain, they sent Tencendur out for his final work at Churchill Downs early at 5:45 on Saturday morning.

After breezing five furlongs in 1:00 with workmate Wake Up in Malibu, Golen described the work as perfect. “Everything is coming together nicely,” Golen said of the colt she lovingly refers to as “Monster.” Golen continued singing Tencendur’s praises, saying, “He’s handling everything; he just goes with the flow.”

If Tencendur can keep up that easygoing attitude in all the hustle and bustle that is the Kentucky Derby, maybe he’ll run true to his nickname with a monster effort aimed towards claiming the blanket of roses.

The 141st running of the Kentucky Derby is set to take place at Churchill Downs on Saturday, May 2, 2015. Gates open early at 8:00 am ET with post time for the first race at 10:30 am ET. Post time for the Kentucky Oaks is approximately 5:45 pm ET on Friday May 1, 2015. Post time for the Kentucky Derby is approximately 6:24 pm ET. Visit KentuckyDerby.com for official information.

Kentucky Derby 2015 Contenders
International Star 16-1
Trainer Mike Maker/Jockey Miguel Mena/Owner Ken & Sarah Ramsey
Dortmund 9-2
Trainer Bob Baffertt/Jockey Martin Garcia/Owner Kaleem Shah, Inc.
Carpe Diem 6-1
Trainer Todd Pletcher/Jockey John Velazquez/Owner WinStar Farm, LLC & Stonestreet Stables LLC
American Pharoah 2-1
Trainer Bob Baffert/Jockey Victor Espinoza/Owner Zayat Stables, LLC
Frosted 18-1
Trainer Kiaran McLaughlin/Jockey Joel Rosario/Owner Godolphin Racing, LLC
Mubtaahij 9-1
Trainer Mike de Kock/Jockey Christophe Soumillon/Owner Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa Al Maktoum
Materiality 9-1
Trainer Todd Pletcher/Jockey Javier Castellano/Owner Alto Racing, LLC
El Kabeir 25-1
Trainer John Terranova II/Jockey Calvin Borel/Owner Zayat Stables, LLC
Upstart 16-1
Trainer Rick Violette Jr./Jockey Jose Ortiz/Owner Ralph M. Evans
Far Right 33-1
Trainer Ron Moquett/Jockey Mike Smith/Owner Harry T. Rosenblum & Robert V. LaPenta
Itsaknockout 25-1
Trainer Todd Pletcher, Jockey Luis Saez, Owner Starlight Racing
Firing Line 14-1
Trainer Simon Callaghan, Jockey Gary Stevens, Owner Arnold Zetcher
Danzig Moon 33-1
Trainer Mark Casse/Jockey Julien Leparoux/Owner John C. Oxley
War Story 45-1
Trainer Tom Amoss/Jockey Joe Talamo/Owner Christopher T. Dunn and Loooch Racing Stable, Inc.
Tencendur 33-1
Trainer George Weaver/Jockey Manuel Franco/Owner Philip S. Birsh
Stanford 60-1
Trainer Todd Pletcher/Jockey Florent Geroux/Owner Stonestreet Stables LLC (Barbara Banke), Mrs. John Magnier, Michael Tabor & Derrick Smith
Mr. Z 50-1
Trainer D. Wayne Lukas, Jockey Ramon Vazquez, Owner Zayat Stables, LLC
Ocho Ocho Ocho 25-1
Trainer Jim Cassidy/Jockey TBD/Owner DP Racing, LLC
Bolo 40-1
Trainer Carla Gaines/Jockey Rafael Bejarano/Owner Golden Pegasus Racing Inc. & Mack
Keen Ice 50-1
Trainer Dale Romans/Jockey Kent Desormeaux/Owner Donegal Racing
Frammento 60-1
Trainer Nick Zito/Jockey TBD/Owner Mossarosa
Bold Conquest 70-1
Trainer Steve Asmussen/Jockey TBD/Owner Ackerley Brothers Farm