Should your introduction to the world of thoroughbred racing have occurred through Griffin Johnson, you are certainly not alone. After having previously given his vast following an intimate view of the Kentucky Derby alongside Sandman, Griffin now returns, championing another talented equine prospect: Ewing. His next appearance on the track is scheduled for Monday, President’s Day, participating in the Ozark Stakes at Oaklawn Park, situated in Hot Springs, Arkansas.
Key details you should be aware of include:
His namesake is an NBA icon: This horse, Ewing, whose proprietors include D. J. Stable, West Point Thoroughbreds, and Kenneth Freirich, carries the moniker of the esteemed Hall of Fame basketball player, Patrick Ewing, a dominant force in the post for the New York Knicks throughout the latter part of the 1980s and much of the 1990s. Griffin Johnson himself holds a partial interest in this young male horse, facilitated by way of Terry Finley’s West Point Thoroughbreds. Following his 1984 NCAA championship victory with the Georgetown Hoyas, Patrick Ewing guided the Knicks to reach the NBA Finals on two separate occasions.
He remains unbeaten: Commencing his racing career during the previous summer, Ewing achieved a flawless record, winning both of his two starts at Saratoga Race Course. This track in northern New York is recognized for fostering the early careers of numerous exceptional two-year-olds (with the majority of horses initiating their competitive careers at this age), and Ewing made his first appearance on July 5, securing an impressive victory by twelve lengths. This performance indicated genuine talent. Subsequently, he competed once more in the $200,000 Saratoga Special Stakes on August 2, where he triumphed in that six-furlong dash, finishing a full length ahead of the highly-rated contender, Obliteration.
He is set to return following a layoff exceeding seven months: Ewing’s proprietors and his conditioner, Hall of Famer Mark Casse, had plans for him to compete in autumn 2025 but instead granted him a period of rest because of a minor ailment. Such a decision is quite typical within the equestrian sport, as those managing horses prioritize safeguarding their gifted competitors over hastily bringing them back to the track. Ewing subsequently traveled to Oaklawn Park for his winter conditioning, and has been actively preparing for his competitive return since the middle of December.
He benefits from a highly successful trainer-jockey partnership: Trainer Mark Casse and rider Cristian Torres have recently collaborated to secure significant victories at Oaklawn. On the sixth of February, they triumphed in a pair of stakes contests for three-year-olds: the Martha Washington Stakes with Search Party, and the Southwest Stakes with Silent Tactic. These particular races serve as preparatory events for the Kentucky Oaks and the Kentucky Derby, in that order. In a broader sense, Mark Casse has achieved an impressive 45 percent win rate for his entries throughout the current Oaklawn Park meeting.
His chances for the Kentucky Derby are considered remote: The Ozark Stakes constitutes a six-furlong dash, equivalent to three-quarters of a mile. This is a length over which Ewing demonstrated proficiency last summer at Saratoga. Conversely, the Kentucky Derby is a sustained-distance event spanning one mile and a quarter (or ten furlongs), encompassing two turns. The Kentucky Derby presents a considerably distinct test compared to sprint races, demanding a substantial accumulation of endurance from a horse to manage effectively. While Ewing possesses a favorable lineage (ancestral background) suggesting suitability for extended-distance competitions, the reality remains that he has exclusively participated in sprints thus far and will be returning from an extended period of inactivity.
Given Mark Casse’s renowned patience as a thoroughbred conditioner, it is highly probable that this gifted young horse’s progression will not be accelerated, particularly with the 152nd Kentucky Derby merely a little more than two months distant. The prospects appear promising for this colt, irrespective of the race distances he tackles, and Griffin Johnson, along with Ewing’s co-owners and a considerable number of racing enthusiasts, anticipate great things in the coming months – commencing on President’s Day! The Ozark Stakes is scheduled for live broadcast coverage on FS2 and FanDuel TV, with its designated start time set for 5:42 p.m. Eastern Time.
