Gold Square LLC’s Cyberknife (Gun Runner-Awesome Flower, by Flower Alley) is suddenly in the Kentucky Derby (G1) picture following a strong win in the $1.25 million Arkansas Derby (G1) at Oaklawn Park, April 2 which netted him 100 Derby points.
Making his sixth career start for trainer Brad Cox and second start in a stakes race, Cyberknife benefitted from a shrewd ride by Florent Geroux in the 1 1/8 mile race on a fast main track and got the jump on the favoured filly Secret Oath.
Dubbed a “challenging” colt to train, Cyberknife was up to his antics early as he dropped Geroux in the post parade. Once underway, the sleek chestnut colt stalked pacesetter Kavod from fourth through rapid fractions of :22 and :46 2/5 for the first half mile. Geroux moved the colt quite early and between horses to take command around the final turn before drew off to win by 2 ¾ lengths over the ultra-consistent Barber Road (Race Day), who has placed in all four of Oaklawn’s Kentucky Derby points races. Secret Oath, the 7-5 favorite with Woodbine rider Luis Contreras on board, was third after being shuffled back to last on the backstretch, steadying and then making a wide, quick move on the turn.
