The wait is over: Chilean star Kay Army set for U.S. debut

The son of Katmai, unraced since his 2024 G1 El Derby victory, will make his return in the GII Fort Marcy S. at Belmont at the Big A, where he will be joined by fellow Chilean-bred Master Piece

Kay Army enters undefeated in 10 career starts / JAIME CORTÉS P.

SOUTH OZONE PARK, New York (Special for Turf Diario).- South American fans—and particularly those in Chile—will be watching with anticipation when the GII Fort Marcy S. is run this Sunday over 1 1/8 miles on the turf at Belmont at the Big A (Aqueduct).

With a purse of $200,000, the race marks the highly anticipated U.S. debut of Chilean champion Kay Army, who returns from a physical setback and now looks poised to make up for lost time.

Now under the care of Hall of Famer Bill Mott and with Jose Lezcano named to ride—most top riders being committed to the Kentucky Derby (G1) card—Kay Army won’t be the only Chilean runner in the gate. He’ll be joined by the gray veteran Master Piece (Mastercraftsman), who is set to be ridden by Eric Cancel.

Unraced since capturing the G1 El Derby at Viña del Mar on Mar. 17, 2024, the undefeated son of Katmai brings a perfect 10-for-10 record into his U.S. debut, including six victories at the Group 1 level. He races in the colors of Ignacio Hurtado and Ignacio Hurtado Jr.

Drawn in post 1 in a compact field of five—Magnolia Midnight (Midnight Storm) is listed as also eligible and would draw in if the race is moved to dirt—Kay Army arrives off a light series of works. Over the past month, he’s posted three 5-furlong breezes in 1:04, 1:03, and 1:01.80, followed by a sharp 3-furlong move in :36.40 while finishing strongly on the outside.

Despite his perfect record, Kay Army is listed as the second choice on the morning line behind Carson’s Run (Cupid), who also makes his seasonal debut. Last seen finishing fifth in the GI Hollywood Derby in late November, Carson’s Runpreviously displayed his class with wins in both the GI Saratoga Derby Invitational and the GI Jockey Club Derby Invitational—this last one over the same Aqueduct turf course. He also took the GI Summer S. at Woodbine as a 2-year-old.