Taylor Made sales grad HELIUM earned his way into Kentucky Derby (G1) with Tampa Bay Derby (G2) score on March 6th, collecting 50 Derby points. An undefeated juvenile stakes winner, this was the first sophomore start for the son of Ironicus (Distorted Humor), from that young sire’s first crop.
Trained by Mark Casse with Jose Ferrer in the irons, HELIUM raced near the rear of the field, and going easy, moved up five wide after half to advance on the leaders. He moved to challenge for the top spot midway through the far turn and gained command, digging in gamely and repelling the consistent challenge from graded stakes-placed Hidden Stash.
Bred by Teneri Farm Inc. & Bernardo Alvarez Calderon out of the Thunder Gulch mare Thundering Emilia, HELIUM now has earned more than $287,000 in just 3 starts for owners D. J. Stable. He was purchased for $55,000 from the Taylor Made consignment at Fasig-Tipton October by buyer Cool Hill Farm.