Two-year-old colt Stretch Ride sure did stretch out, finishing with a flourish Saturday at Keeneland as he drew off in the stretch to score by 5 3/4 lengths for his second straight victory. Improving to an 86 Beyer and a 14 on the Ragozin Sheets, he will be stakes-bound and on a number of early Kentucky Derby watch lists.

Stretch Ride is an example that you just never know where you might come across a good horse. A year ago, this son of Kentucky Derby winner Street Sense was a $5,000 yearling at the Fasig-Tipton October sale, purchased by a pinhooker who took him to Europe, and that’s where West Point came upon him this spring, at the Arqana 2yo sale in France. Trainer Dale Romans has brought him along perfectly. The colt won his debut on September 17.

Dale said, “What a nice colt, we’ve got a lot to look forward to here.”

Jockey Martin Chuan said, “This was my first win at Keeneland, thank you so much to Dale and everyone for the opportunity. Very excited about this colt.”

Stretch Ride will take aim at the $400,000 Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes (G2) run at a mile and a sixteenth on the dirt on Saturday, November 25 at Churchill Downs. The Kentucky Jockey Club is a qualifying prep with 10-5-3-2-1 in points on the line for the Kentucky Derby.