In the summer of 2023, Big Data parlayed a first-level allowance win at Gulfstream Park into a Super Derby victory at Louisiana Downs. Trainer Michael Lerman would love to see the same unfold for the horse’s stablemate Radical Rhetoric.
Radical Rhetoric will be looking to back up a strong maiden win with a first-level allowance victory in Thursday’s sixth race at Gulfstream. The one-turn mile is for 3-year-olds.
Big Data won the same kind of race in July 2023 before taking the Super Derby under regular rider Emisael Jaramillo, who will be aboard Radical Rhetoric on Thursday. This year, the $250,000 Super Derby will be run Sept. 6.
“I would really like to get there because I really like that Mexican restaurant that’s right outside the gate,” Lerman quipped. “So, we’re looking for an excuse to go back again.
“At the moment, he’s on that trajectory, I hope. He broke his maiden, hopefully he can progress through the [first-level allowance], and that sets you up for that sort of thing.
“I think he’s only going to be better when he finally gets to go two turns. Big Data went two turns for the first time in the Super Derby. Same sort of situation.”
Thursday’s field of seven includes five last-out maiden winners – Radical Rhetoric, El Guty, Blue Casanova, Steppe, and Sherman Fury. Radical Rhetoric rallied from next to last in a maiden special weight and proved two lengths best at a one-turn mile May 24.
“He did exactly what we asked him to,” Lerman said. “His first two races, he showed a little more speed [when he drew the rail], but I kind of had been training him to settle and finish because going long that’s going to be more helpful. I think when he actually gets to go two turns he’ll be even stronger. But he settled very nicely, and Jaramillo swung him out and he ran past the field with authority.
“He’s still very green. He was looking around a lot. He was looking at the grandstand. He’s a giant baby. He’s almost 17 hands. He’s still growing. He’s got the mind of a child still, so he’s getting the hang of racing step by step. He’s kind of on the Big Data-type trajectory to develop into that kind of horse down the road, and this is the next step.”
Lerman co-owns Radical Rhetoric with David Romanik. The son of Kentucky Derby winner Always Dreaming was a $50,000 purchase at the Ocala Breeders’ Sales Co. auction of 2-year-olds in training in March 2024.
“He was one I saw in the sale and I said, ‘Yep, that’s what were looking for,’ ” Lerman said.
Radical Rhetoric will break from post 6.
“I’m happy he got off the inside finally,” Lerman said. “He’s learning. He’s developing his own style. Hopefully, he takes the next step forward.”
Sherman Fury is a son of Gun Runner making his first start at 3. He closed his first season of racing in September with a maiden special weight win over seven furlongs at Parx Racing and will be on Lasix for the first time.
◗ Nate the Great will attempt to win his fifth straight race in a $12,500 starter allowance that goes as the seventh race on Thursday. It will be run at one mile and 70 yards on Tapeta, the same distance over which Nate the Great has registered three of his last four wins.
:: Want to learn more about handicapping and wagering? Check out DRF's Handicapping 101 and Wagering 101 pages.