Trained by Phil Bauer, Johnathan’s Way picked up 10 Derby qualifying points in the first of 36 Derby preps leading to the first Saturday in May at Churchill Downs.

Johnathan’s Way ($4.52) set the early pace ahead of Jack’s Time and Magnitude, covering the first quarter mile in 23.21 seconds and the half in 46.62. He easily turned aside the challenge by Owen Almighty and won by 2 ¾ lengths. Winning time was 1:36.08

“In his last start he didn’t show that much speed from the gate, but when he broke well today, he just took himself to the front and traveled easily around there,’’ Rosario said. “Being only his second start, you have to be impressed how he’s handled so far, and I think anything is possible for him down the road to the Kentucky Derby.”

A son of Vekoma, the dark bay colt was purchased for $290,000 at the 2022 Keeneland November sale.

“From the first day we bought him as a weanling we were impressed,’’ Bauer said. “We always knew how impressive he was training into his debut, and when he ran that day in Saratoga, he did so professionally after missing the break.

“Today, he showed a totally different dimension being on a lead, it’s an amazing feeling moving forward.”