Preakness Profile: American Promise
The Biz- May 17, 2025
Virginia Derby winner American Promise has done the “little girl with the little curl routine” in his career: when he’s good, he’s very good. And when he’s bad… well, you know the rest. He wasn’t good in the Kentucky Derby but hopes for a bounceback in the Preakness.
3. AMERICAN PROMISE (15-1)
Post Position: 3
Color/Sex: Chestnut colt
Age: 3
Sire–Dam–Damsire: Justify – Tapella – Tapit
Owner: BC Stables LLC
Trainer: D. Wayne Lukas
Jockey: Nik Juarez
Record: 10 starts: 2 wins, 1 place, 1 show
Earnings: $444,874
Typical Running Style: Speed-press
Last Raced: May 3, 2025 – Kentucky Derby – 16th by 38½ lengths
Note: 89-year-old trainer seeks eighth Preakness
Quote: “He’s doing exceptionally well. He’s back in the feed tub, no worse for wear, almost like he didn’t participate [in the Kentucky Derby]. So, we feel pretty good about him. That’s all you can ask. But his energy level is really good.” – D. Wayne Lukas
American Promise (15-1) returns just two weeks after a forgettable run in the Kentucky Derby, where he made an early move before backing out and finished far back. Despite that, Hall of Fame trainer D. Wayne Lukas reports the chestnut colt bounced back quickly and is showing great energy ahead of the Preakness. With a pedigree built for distance and early speed, and an iconic trainer chasing his eighth Preakness win, American Promise could rebound sharply if he runs back to his better efforts.
BREEDING
American Promise is by Triple Crown winner Justify out of the winning Tapit mare Tapella.
American Promise’s half-sister Hoosier Philly, by Into Mischief, inched past $1 million in career earnings in her most recent start Apr. 26. A Grade 2 winner at two, she ran second in Pimlico’s 2023 Black-Eyed Susan Stakes.
Justify, by Scat Daddy, raced just six times, winning all six. That included a sweep of the Kentucky Derby, Preakness, and Belmont Stakes in 2018, giving trainer Bob Baffert his second Triple Crown sweep in four years.
As a sire, Justify stands for $250,000. Some of his best offspring have done their best work overseas, including $3 million earner City of Troy and Awesome Result, the undefeated (8-for-8) Japan-based mare, who’s made over $1.1 million. Stateside runners include 2023 champion two-year-old filly Just F Y I and 2024 Blue Grass runner-up Just a Touch, who is showing signs of coming into his own now at four.
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