#18 Intrepido
Trainer: Jeff Mullins
Jockey: Hector Berrios
Last Race: Santa Anita Derby – 4th
Running Style: Mid-pack
Intrepido announced himself as a legitimate talent with a Grade 1 victory at two, showing the kind of precocious ability that puts a horse on the Derby map early. But this year has been a different story — fourth in the Santa Anita Derby is the latest in a series of performances that haven't matched that early promise. Recapturing that two-year-old form on the first Saturday in May is a significant ask.
Jeff Mullins has him pointed toward Churchill Downs, and Hector Berrios takes the reins for his first Kentucky Derby mount. That's a meaningful storyline, but inexperience at this level is a factor. Intrepido will need everything to come together at the right moment for this partnership to make noise in the field.
Why He’s Ranked #18
Grade 1 winner at two years old
Six career starts provide more experience than several rivals
Trained by Jeff Mullins with a clear Derby target
Early talent suggests the ceiling is still there
Pedigree Analysis
Sire: Maximus Mischief
Dam: Overly Indulgent
Grandsire: Into Mischief
Granddam: Reina Maria
Other notable ancestors: Pleasantly Perfect, Smart Strike, Harlan's Holiday, Storm Cat, Unbridled's Song, Maria's Mon, Affirmed, Mr. Prospector
Intrepido's pedigree is built around speed and class at the top, with stamina threading through the dam line. Maximus Mischief, by Into Mischief, passes along tactical versatility and a competitive edge, while Into Mischief has become one of the premier sires of his generation with a strong record producing winners at classic distances. Pleasantly Perfect in the dam line adds stamina and toughness — a Breeders' Cup Classic winner whose influence suits longer routes.
Deeper influences including Smart Strike, Storm Cat, Unbridled's Song, and Affirmed stack the pedigree with proven class and durability. Mr. Prospector appears as a foundational speed influence, and Maria's Mon contributes further versatility. The bloodlines suggest a horse capable of handling a mile and a quarter — whether the current form reflects that potential is the question Intrepido has yet to answer in 2025.
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