Dennis' Moment, briefly a Ky. Derby favorite, will stand in Wyoming

Dennis’ Moment, a graded stakes-winning son of horse of the year Tiznow, will stand the 2024 breeding season at Golden Creek Equine in Cheyenne, Wyo. He will stand as property of CJ Thoroughbreds and Eugene Joyce for a fee of $1,500. A limited number of lifetime breeding rights are also available.

A $400,000 yearling purchase by Albaugh Family Racing, Dennis’ Moment proved to be a 2-year-old sensation as he broke his maiden by nearly 20 lengths at Ellis Park. He followed that with a decisive victory in the Grade 3 Iroquois Stakes going two turns at Churchill Downs. That made him the opening futures favorite for the 2020 Kentucky Derby and odds-on favorite in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile, but a stumble at the start cost him any chance of winning. He later retired with earnings of more than $300,000.

Dale Romans, trainer of Dennis’ Moment, said, “Dennis’ Moment was one of the most talented 2-year-olds I have ever seen. He broke his maiden by almost 20 lengths, and then won a Grade 3 race at Churchill Downs as easy as you can. He was the odds-on favorite in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile and stumbled out of the gate. Unfortunately he got hurt or he would have been a major player in the Triple Crown campaign the next spring. I think Dennis’ Moment will make a great stallion. As a race horse he was perfectly balanced and had a ton of talent. Also, he is extremely smart.”

Although Wyoming has a long history of horse racing and is the final resting place of the sport’s first Triple Crown winner, Sir Barton, the state’s live racing scene nearly disappeared until historical horse racing was legalized a decade ago. Since then, and especially over the last few years, horse racing has seen a resurgence with $5.2 million awarded to owners, breeders and stallion owners who participated in the Wyoming breeders awards program in 2022.

Corey Johnsen, president of CJ Thoroughbreds, and Joyce have a track record of success in horse racing. They were key members of the Lone Star Park executive team when that track hosted the 2004 Breeders’ Cup. In Wyoming, they worked together to introduce HHR after Johnsen had success with that gaming product at Kentucky Downs.

Joyce went on to be a partner in Wyoming Horse Racing, a major player in the resurgence of live racing in the state. Today, Johnsen and Joyce are partners on a number of race horses, including five accredited Wyoming-bred weanlings.

“I was around Dennis’ Moment early in his career and was really impressed with his brilliance, looks and class,” said Johnsen, whose CJ Thoroughbreds had graded-stakes winner Sally’s Curlin in the Dale Romans stable. “It is an honor to own him now and be able to offer a stallion of his quality to breeders in Wyoming and the region. The Cheyenne location makes him accessible to mare owners in Colorado and Nebraska.”

Golden Creek Equine encompasses 100 acres near Cheyenne and another Wyoming location with 2,400 acres.

“My general impression of Dennis' Moment is class,” said Kate Anderson, owner of Golden Creek Equine. “From the moment he arrived, he has handled himself with grace and kindness. Not only does he have a stellar disposition, but he is built right and brings an outstanding pedigree and record to Wyoming. We are fortunate to stand Dennis' Moment at a time when Wyoming horse racing is increasing and providing owners with one of the best state bred programs in the nation. All of us at Golden Creek Equine are excited to stand Dennis' Moment and to support Wyoming horse racing.”