Sharp hoping “Creole” seasoning proves winning recipe for Indiana Derby

After Three Diamonds Farm’s Creole Chrome got bounced around by some of the country’s best and fastest 3-year-olds, trainer Joe Sharp thought a confidence-builder was in order before heading to Saturday’s $300,000, Grade 3 Indiana Derby at Horseshoe Indianapolis.

Would an 18-length romp work? That was Creole Chrome’s winning margin against fellow Louisiana-breds in Evangeline Downs’ Louisiana Legends Cheval Stakes at a two-turn mile on June 6.

“Mission accomplished,” Sharp said by phone from Saratoga. “He came out of the race in really good order. We wanted to try taking the blinkers off and going back to a stretch-out. He was able to relax nicely going into the first turn, set off those two horses, and I think he made the lead just on class alone. But he just seemed real comfortable, within himself, and you know that gave him some confidence to try a little bit deeper water again.”

That comes in the 1 1/16-mile Indiana Derby, where Creole Chrome is among the leading contenders in what shapes up as a field of seven 3-year-olds. A chestnut son of Three Chimneys’ Grade 1-winning Kentucky stallion Volatile, Creole Chrome was foaled in Louisiana and began his career winning three of four starts against Louisiana-breds at the Fair Grounds.

That encouraged his team to take a shot at Keeneland’s Grade 1 Toyota Blue Grass, where a win or second could have secured a spot in the Kentucky Derby. Creole Chrome finished fourth, with Further Ado rolling to an 11-length victory. Instead of the Derby, Creole Chrome ran the same day in the Grade 2 Pat Day Mile around one turn. He again was up close early before weakening to sixth.

“I think we asked him to be quick, to be close in a couple of spots,” Sharp reflected. “It was kind of a reset to go down to Louisiana and try something different, and it all worked out well.

“We were obviously expecting to win the race, but we were also trying to use it as a building block to set us up for this race here. What we were hoping to accomplish was to be able to sit, just be able to settle a little bit early. And that's what we saw, that's what we were happy with. Obviously, as the waters get deeper, you can't be one-dimensional if you want to take on more upper levels of competition.”

Sharp said Creole Chrome was too much on the engine in the Blue Grass.

“That was the first time he'd gotten a little bit keen on us,” he said. “I kind of gave Tyler (Gaffalione) instructions that probably were bad. Because I was anticipating him to be able to kind of squeeze away from there, get a good position, and then the horse would relax for him. Once he squeezed on him, he didn't relax and just never really shut off. Same thing back to the Pat Day Mile, Irad (Ortiz) had ridden him in the morning, had a lot of confidence in him. When he broke and asked him to get position, he wouldn't get off the bridle and then was five-wide — just not the way you can win a big race. So yeah, I think we all just kind of learned something about the horse. That’s why the race in Louisiana was important, just to explore a new tactic with him.”

Creole Chrome will have his sixth different rider in six races (Timothy Thornton rode him at Evangeline Downs), with Ortiz riding the Brad Cox-trained Leading Change, who could be made the Indiana Derby betting favorite off an impressive debut race.

Sharp was able to get another nationally prominent jockey in Junior Alvarado, winner of the 2025 Kentucky Derby and Belmont Stakes on Horse of the Year Sovereignty. Alvarado was coming to Horseshoe Indianapolis to ride Star Actress in the $200,000, Grade 3 Indiana Oaks for trainer Bill Mott.

“He's never going to be a horse that's far back, right?” Sharp said. “We're not going to fight him if he's on the lead. But just the ability to shut off and relax is what he seemed to really show that he could do in that last race at Louisiana.”

Sharp is among those who think the public will make Leading Change the favorite off his 6 1/2-length maiden win at Churchill Downs, even if it’s his only start and came at seven furlongs.

“We ran second to Brad's horse in that maiden race at Churchill Downs, and we liked our horse (Don’s Winner) a lot,” Sharp said. “So, I was impressed by his horse that day. Obviously, Creole has a lot more seasoning, so hopefully the race experience will help him out, because you know Brad's horse is not short of ability.”

Ortiz seconds that opinion of Leading Change, opting to come to Indiana to ride instead of being at Saratoga.

“He won nicely the first time out in the debut,” Ortiz said up at Saratoga. “He is very straightforward and has a good mind. I was working him last year and, unfortunately, he did not make the races (as a 2-year-old). He was working good, and he has looked like a nice horse since Day One. First time out, the way he did it was impressive.

“Obviously, he just broke his maiden. But he can step up a little bit with some nice horses.”

Sharp does get the services of Ortiz aboard Miwa, one of the favorites in the $100,000 Indiana General Assembly Distaff Handicap on the Indiana Derby undercard. Miwa won a Churchill Downs allowance race in her first start since November.

“She ran a great race back off the layoff the other day,” he said. “She was really, really good to us at Kentucky Downs. She won down there, and I wheeled her back in eight days and she ran third in a $2 million stakes. In hindsight, that kind of wiped her out for the year. She was kind of a little flat after that, so they freshened her, brought her back, and she ran a huge race. We’re trying to get her a stakes win, get her some black type.”

Sharp also has the stakes-winning Seminole Chief in the $100,000 Jonathan B. Schuster Memorial for older males on turf. In his first start for Sharp last time out, Seminole Chief won a $75,000 claiming race at Churchill Downs.

“He's obviously has the back class to be competitive against these kinds,” Sharp said. “I thought he ran one of his best races in recent years the other day. So, staying local and giving him a little shot at picking up some more black type made sense. But I thought that race came up pretty tough.”

Indiana Derby Day begins at noon for the 13-race card.

Additional activities surround the event trackside, including a $3,000 Indiana Derby Megabet drawing, $2,500 Indiana Derby Day Legends contest, sponsored by Indiana HBPA, and a $1,000 Indiana Derby Hat Contest.

Fans will also be treated to a cigar rolling station, selfie station, and face painting for the kids. Food trucks and various booths will also be available throughout the day leading up to the Indiana Derby set as Race 12 on the program.

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