April 18, 2016

There was a mixture of class, stamina and talent on display in the final major points race for the KYD and the Grade I AR Derby did not disappoint as a parade of longshots crossed the line in first through fourth, with a pair of Coppers leading the charge to CD for the Run For The Roses. Purchased for a huge $250.000 price despite finishing fourth in a state-bred sprint, Copper Beast ran to his dam’s route pedigree and closed from almost last to score by a head going away and push his earnings from $100.000 to $700.000, while giving Pan Farms a second powerful entry and one that ranks right up with the best of his division thus far.

With a much longer run into the first turn that the recent Rebel, horses to the outside of the gate in the AR Derby were able to get into position much more easily and Th Watcher (6.05) took the early advantage from Mach Force (8.50) and Cozzene Lyphard (18.55) directly to his outside. Pentagon (19.05) broke well along the fence to hold his placing while Lord Byron (21.40) was floated very well from post 14 but all in all, everyone seemed to find a position into the first turn and backstretch. Broomsticks Wiggy (6.85) kept the leaders outside unnecessarily as Cozzene Lyphard established the lead and a half-mile in a rapid 46.17 saw him with a one-length advantage and finally, a position at the fence after much toil. Th Watcher had started to back away inside, forcing the hand of favourite Fearful (*4.30) in behind him, and heading into the far turn, it was longshot Black Mojo (29.15) who seemed to have the best chance with a four-wide placing but a good trip. Mach Force had a second wind past the six-furlong marker in 1:09.85 with Black Mojo wide and Fast Thomas (9.15) trying to close between rivals and at the head of the lane, Cozzene Lyphard was all but done after such testing splits. The field literally spread out from the rail to the OP parking lot in search of a clear path down the lane and with a furlong to go, the leaders were done and Black Mojo was trying to hold off another longshot outside in the form of Copper Opus (13.35), who emerged from the back after breaking from post 13 but as usual this TC season, an inside trip is always preferred and that came from Copper Beast (24.80), who was stuck in behind until the head of the stretch where he found the right path. That path led him from out of the clouds and into the KYD by a head, with Copper Opus a game second and Black Mojo arguably the best of the bunch while third after an outside run. Pentagon emerged last to complete the longshot superfecta in fourth while Ghost Star (5.45) came with a mild run to outfinish top choices Fearful, Mach Force, Fast Thomas and Th Watcher in midpack. Prime Time Opus (12.10) never got involved, Cozzene Lyphard backed up after leading to the lane, Lord Byron was undone by a wide draw and Broomsticks Wiggy bombed after being backed in the wagering yet again.\

Copper Beast earned his way into the KYD with a stirring off-the-pace victory in the Grade I AR Derby and becomes the second entry from that barn to make it, with both coming via purchases from the powerful Australia Wide stable. Rebel winner Fearful is also in despite an even effort on Saturday while second-place finisher Copper Opus is right on the bubble and would need a single defection to make it after just missing from off-the-pace as well.

Congratulations goes out to owner Pan Farms and their three-year-old colt Copper Beast, a wonderful winner of the Grade I AR Derby at OP!

Prediction                  Fearful / Fast Thomas / Mach Force

Winner                       Copper Beast

                                      Three-year-old chestnut colt

                                      Copper Bottom-Strong Showing (Eviction Notice)

Owner                         Pan Farms

Time                            46.17, 1:09.85, 1:35.22, 1:47.96 (NSR)

Overall

Copper Beast              24.80 sat patiently, found room, just got up

Copper Opus               13.35 wide run, clear late, caught

Black Mojo                  29.15 wide trip, excellent late momentum

Pentagon                      19.05 between rival, best of rest

Ghost Star                    5.45 even effort throughout

Fearful                           *4.30 no late momentum

Mach Force                  8.50 pressed, tired only late

Fast Thomas                9.15 had room, lacked drive

Th Watcher                  6.05 set pace, faded

Cozzene Lyphard        12.10 leader into lane, weakened

Prime Time Opus        18.55 no factor

Lord Byron                    21.40 wide throughout

Broomsticks Wiggy     6.85 caught wide, tired badly

Triple T Racing 🙂

Categories: Grade I, STAKES ARTICLES