HAW Derby (Grade 3)- $150.000 Purse
HAW- For Three Year Olds
One Mile and One Eighth on the Turf
October 17, 2015

After three strong races on the dirt that included a win in the Curlin at SAR, and a strong second in the Grade 3 BC Derby at HST in his last start, Garibaldi went back to the grass for the HAW Derby.  This wasn’t supposed to be a problem and he had previously picked up a couple wins on the turf as well.  Winning a graded stake on the turf, however, was something he had not done coming into this race.  He seemed like one of the horses to beat and the race did come down, as expected to he and Performing Arts.   Following a great ride by R B Homeister Jr, Garibaldi put together a powerful stretch run and may have won this one a little easier then anticipated.  His winning time of 1:45.73 is the third quickest of any HAW Derby winner.  Long time trainer Jerry Garcia Racing would win his first HAW Derby title in this race, and the same holds true for Homeister on the jockey leaderboard.  Let’s look at how this unfolded.

1st- 1- Garibaldi (1/1)- The eventual race winner from Jerry Garcia Racing had a pretty good rail trip going in the early portion.  He wasn’t as aggressive as Viking Jedi or Performing Arts, but he did well to keep them within reach and only be about three and a half lengths off the lead as they hit the half mile marker.  Homeister continued to ride patiently throughout the turn, keeping him positioned along the real even when Performing Arts looked to make his move.  While Viking Jedi and Performing Arts began to battle it out, Garibaldi had plenty of room to the inside to simply concern himself with his own race.  His entire stretch run was good, but in the final furlong he was outstanding.   With his eyes set on the wire he left his two main challengers in the dust and was pulling away with every stride to get the win!  Garibaldi is a three year old gelding by Condottieri and out of Kloof (by Big Jake).  He was bred in Kentucky by Jerry Garcia Racing, the only trainer for which he has ever known.  Congratulations to all the connections.

2nd- 2- Performing Arts (3/1)- Our pre-race pick from Barcelona Farms was good early.  At first, it looked as though he would be content to sit a couple lengths from Viking Jedi, but in the turn E E Perez gave him some slight urging, and he would move to within a length for the backstretch run.  Continued a stalking trip during the backstretch and into the turn, and only on exit did Perez look to make a move on the pacesetter.  At the top of the stretch, he went to the outside of Viking Jedi to try and take the lead.  But that rival just would not let him get by.  All the while, the rail trip of Garibaldi was setting up beautifully.  In the last strides, he finally would get second.

3rd- 5- Viking Jedi (6/1)- Strong early for Delta Farms, shooting right out to the lead.  Ran quite well in the front stretch, opening up by about two and a half before they entered the first turn.  Performing Arts would gain ground on him as they moved into the backstretch but he would still lead at the half, in :47.57.  Maintained a graceful stride throughout as the field behind him seemed to stay in line longer then usual.  Viking Jedi didn’t mind that at all.   In the stretch he did not back down in anyway and made Performing Arts have a very difficult time to get by him to his outside.  In fact, he almost held him off entirely but was only beaten by him for second very late.

4th- 3- Informa (5/1)- The Night Rider Stables entry could see them all in front of him at the start of the race.   Not a problem of course for this closer, and he sat about six lengths from the lead.  Kept this distance constant most of the way, and looked to make a move in the stretch.  Unfortunately those who had been in front of him still had plenty left and while Informa gained ground he would only pass one.

5th- 4- Power From Within (6/1)- Not the greatest of starts for the Sarah Stables entry, but Power From Within is used to coming from behind so he still seemed to be in good shape regardless. Steady but unspectacular in the turn. At the top of the stretch when Informa, who had been behind him, looked to make a move, Power From Within did not have enough power from within to run with him.

Track: Firm
Time: :47²  1:10³  1:34¹  1:45³

$2 Mutuel Prices:

$1 Exacta: 1 – 2 Paid 8.90
$1 Trifecta: 1 – 2 – 5 Paid 19.90

Scratched: None

— NS

Categories: Grade III, STAKES ARTICLES