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Built’s Road to the 2025 Kentucky Derby: Race Progression and Key Wins
- Updated: April 23, 2025
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Let’s take a look at Built’s race progression as he approaches the 2025 Kentucky Derby on May 3, 2025. Analyzing his recent past performances (PPs) we can evaluate his development and readiness for Churchill Downs, while drawing comparisons with other contenders—for context.
Built’s Race Progression
Built, a 3-year-old colt by Hard Spun out of Sea Garden, has competed in six races leading up to the Derby, all on dirt, showing early promise, stakes success, and consistency in graded stakes, though his recent fade in the Louisiana Derby raises stamina questions.
Tough Debut (August 24, 2024)
Built debuted on August 24, 2024, at Ellis Park in a 6-furlong maiden special weight on a fast dirt track, finishing 4th but placed 3rd after a disqualification in 1:10.95. In a 10-horse field, he raced 2-wide, went 4-wide at the 1/4 pole, 6-wide in the upper stretch, moved up late, and finished behind East Avenue, Popp Echo, and Campaign Trail. His time matches East Avenue’s winning effort, as we noted in East Avenue’s progression (April 22, 2025, 07:29), but Built’s late move suggests he needed the experience, a trait common in Hard Spun progeny like Two Phil’s, who also improved after a modest debut.
Maiden Breakthrough (October 6, 2024)
On October 6, 2024, Built broke his maiden at Keeneland in a 7-furlong maiden special weight on a fast dirt track, winning by 1 ½ lengths in 1:23.85. In an 11-horse field, he prompted the pace 2-wide, took the lead at the 1/8 pole, and drew clear, beating Render Judgment and Cant Stop Munnings. His time is solid for a juvenile dirt race, faster than American Promise’s 1:17.80 at 6 ½ furlongs (April 22, 2025, 07:29), and his ability to press and pull away shows tactical speed, aligning with Hard Spun’s influence.
Stakes Debut Victory (December 21, 2024)
Built stepped up to stakes company in the Gun Runner Stakes on December 21, 2024, at Fair Grounds over 1 1/16 miles on a fast dirt track, winning by 1 ¼ lengths in 1:43.95. In a 5-horse field, he led in hand inside and drew off, beating Magnitude and Render Judgment. This win gave him early momentum on the Derby trail. His time beats Flying Mohawk’s 1:46.16 at the same distance on turf (April 23, 2025, 08:22), showing Built’s ability to carry speed over a route on dirt, a positive for his Derby prospects.
Graded Stakes Test (January 18, 2025)
On January 18, 2025, Built ran in the Lecomte (G3) at Fair Grounds over 1 1/16 miles on a sloppy dirt track, finishing 2nd in 1:47.00. In a 13-horse field, he raced 3 paths wide to inside, grinded steadily, bid late, but was nailed at the wire by Disco Time, beating Innovator. His effort on a sloppy track shows adaptability—his time is slower than his Gun Runner win, likely due to the track condition, but matches Grande’s allowance win (1:50.04 adjusted for distance) on a fast track (April 23, 2025, 09:56).
Solid Stakes Effort (February 15, 2025)
Built raced in the Risen Star (G2) on February 15, 2025, at Fair Grounds over 1 1/8 miles on a fast dirt track, finishing 3rd in 1:48.75. In a 12-horse field, he raced 3-wide, made a mild bid 2-wide on the second turn, but tired late, finishing behind Magnitude and Chunk of Gold, with American Promise 5th and East Avenue 10th in the same race (April 22, 2025, 07:29). His time matches Grande’s Wood Memorial (1:48.08), but Grande’s cleaner trip gave him a better finish (April 23, 2025, 09:56). Built’s effort earned him 20 Derby points.
Distance Challenge (March 22, 2025)
Built’s latest race was the Louisiana Derby (G2) on March 22, 2025, at Fair Grounds over 1 3/16 miles on a fast dirt track, where he finished 5th in 1:56.50. In a 10-horse field, he stayed inside, bid 2-wide at the 3/8 pole, cleared briefly, but weakened late, finishing behind Tiztastic, Chunk of Gold, and Instant Replay. This race, also run by Chunk of Gold (2nd), highlights Built’s stamina limitations at longer distances—his fade mirrors Citizen Bull’s Santa Anita Derby fade (April 21, 2025, 11:56). He earned 10 Derby points here, bringing his total to 70 (including 30 from the Gun Runner and Lecomte), securing his Derby spot.
Analysis of Progression
Built’s progression shows early promise but recent regression—he’s 2-for-6, with 1 second, 1 third, 1 fifth, and a placed third, reflecting consistency in stakes but struggles at longer distances. His times align with his stalking style: 1:10.95 at 6 furlongs, 1:23.85 at 7 furlongs, 1:43.95 to 1:47.00 at 1 1/16 miles, 1:48.75 at 1 1/8 miles, and 1:56.50 at 1 3/16 miles. His Gun Runner win and Lecomte second-place finish are highs, but his Louisiana Derby fade raises concerns about his ability to handle the Derby’s 1 1/4 miles.
Built’s 70 Derby points secure his spot–if he gets to run. However, his connections are also considering the Pat Day Mile, suggesting uncertainty about the Derby distance. His lack of Churchill Downs experience is a slight drawback compared to horses like Flying Mohawk (1-for-1 on turf there) or Publisher (two thirds on dirt there) (April 23, 2025, 08:22; April 22, 2025, 07:29).
Comparison to Other Contenders
Built’s stalking style aligns with Grande, who finished 2nd in the Wood Memorial (1:48.08) with a similar mid-pack approach but has shown better stamina at 1 1/8 miles (April 23, 2025, 09:56). Built’s Louisiana Derby fade contrasts with Tiztastic’s win in the same race (1:56.50), giving Tiztastic an edge (April 18, 2025, 08:41). Closers like Chunk of Gold (2nd in the Louisiana Derby) and Flying Mohawk (Jeff Ruby Steaks, 1:50.50) could capitalize on a fast pace, which Built might struggle to match given his recent performances (April 23, 2025, 08:22).
Burnham Square, with 130 Derby points and a Blue Grass Stakes win (1:51.09), and Sandman, with 104 points and wins in the Southwest and Arkansas Derby, have stronger resumes (April 15, 2025, 06:53). Journalism, expected to be the Derby favorite, showed resilience in the Santa Anita Derby, though his smaller-field win raises questions about the 20-horse field, a challenge Built might also face given his fades in larger fields (April 6, 2025, 08:41).
Looking Ahead to the Kentucky Derby
Built enters the 2025 Kentucky Derby with a solid foundation—his pedigree, with Hard Spun’s near-Derby win and Curlin’s classic-distance success, suggests he has the potential for 1 1/4 miles (April 23, 2025, 11:38). The Danzig influence through Hard Spun and the speed from Storm Cat (via Navy Gardens) could help him stay competitive. However, his Louisiana Derby fade at 1 3/16 miles raises serious doubts about his stamina for the Derby distance, especially in a 20-horse field where pace dynamics will be critical, as we’ve seen with closers like Sovereignty in the Florida Derby (March 29, 2025, 09:15).
Track conditions could play a role. Built has handled a sloppy track well (Lecomte, 1:47.00), which is a positive. Hard Spun and Curlin both performed well on off tracks—Hard Spun won the 2007 Lane’s End on synthetic, and Curlin took the 2008 Dubai World Cup on a sloppy dirt track—suggesting Built might adapt if the Derby track is wet . A fast pace set by horses like American Promise or Rodriguez could set up Built’s stalking style, but his recent fades suggest he might tire late against closers like Chunk of Gold or Sovereignty.
Built’s consistency in stakes makes him a candidate for place and show bets in exactas and trifectas. Pairing him with a closer like Flying Mohawk or a front-runner like Rodriguez could offer value if he holds for a top-four finish, especially if the pace is moderate. However, stamina concerns abound.
