Derby Dozen: Awesome Banner bounces back from layoff with pair of impressive wins

One thing for certain where Awesome Banner is concerned is that he has brilliance to spare.

He established a course record for 4½ furlongs in his career debut at Gulfstream Park last June. After being sidelined following surgery to remove a knee chip, the son of Awesome of Course has returned from a seven-month layoff to post two outstanding victories in the Grade III Hutcheson and Grade II Swale Stakes in January.

Awesome Banner has yet to race around two turns, but trainer Stanley Gold doesn’t see that being a problem given the way the colt has finished in his sprint outings. He faced pressure in the 6-furlong Hutcheson while posting splits of :22.10 and :44.87 and still drew off as easy as he pleased for a 4¾-length win.

The bay colt took the heat again on the front end and kept going during his 5-length win in the 7-furlong Swale, after which Gold said his charge wasn’t even tired the following morning.

“Two turns won’t be a problem, but that doesn’t necessarily mean you’re going to win,” Gold said. “He’ll run two turns, because he’s not going to run off with crazy speed.”

Owner: Jacks or Better Farm

Trainer: Stanley Gold

Breeder: Jacks or Better Farm

Bloodline: Bay colt by Awesome of Course-Miranda Stands, by Zamindar

Last start: Won Grade II Swale Stakes at Gulfstream Park on Jan. 30

Next start: Possible for Grade II Fountain of Youth Stakes at Gulfstream Park on Feb. 27

Potential trouble: Has to prove he can stretch out to two turns.

This story was originally published February 13, 2016 at 10:03 PM with the headline "Derby Dozen: Awesome Banner bounces back from layoff with pair of impressive wins."