3/21/26

  10  FG   Mike LaRosa LA Derby (GII) [KYD]

$1,000.000           3yo             1 3/16th Dirt         122lbs         

Yeah, he would have loved it!!  The 2026 Mike LaRosa LA Derby (GII) was everything you want in a a TC prep race, and a bit more.  A fantastic field, a great finish… how about a new track record?  We get all of that as The Sidley Stud walks away with the lion’s share of the $1,000.000 purse as Bold Intruder holds off a pair of Mb Stable’s charges and takes the all important KYD prep by a length, stopping the clock at 1:54.13 at a bit more than 4/1 odds. 

As mentioned, the Big Barn take the second and third spots as Apirana, the post time favorite and my choice, earns the runner-up money, and ae draw-in and pace-setter, Flop is a neck back in third.  Another neck to D J C Racing Stables’ Strike, the 7/2 second choice, took the minor purse.  Eight lengths covered the field of twelve and Guapo was a late scratch. 

The full field of twelve entered the starting gate, and off and running in the 2026 Mike LaRosa LA Derby…  From the far outside, Flop up to take a clear, early lead, Ideal Candidate also showing speed from an outside post, Strike to his inside, Looting and Shooting from the rail was next, Bold Intruder to his outside, then Forward Facing out wider.  Another length to Matsuyama, London just behind that one, down to the inside for Justified, out widest of all was Term Limits, Apirana and Fight Knight was the early trailer. 

Around the clubhouse turn and onto the backside, five and a half furlongs to run and Flop was making this look easy, in front by three.  Strike allowed to track that one from the inside, Ideal Candidate on his outside, the a gap of two back to Bold Intruder, Looking And Shooting on his inside, another length and a half to Forward Facing on the outside of Matsuyama, gap of two to London on the outside of Justified, out wider to Apirana then Term Limits four wide, and Fight Knight could still see them all.

Down the backside and now mid-way on the far turn, three furlongs left in this one and Flop still galloping along by two.  Strike content to watch that one, a gap to Bold Intruder, Ideal Candidate on the outside of that one and losing ground, along the rail, Looting And Shooting, Forward Facing outside of that one, another length and a half to the trailing group of Apirana from the outside, down to the rail for Matsuyama, Justified next to that one, London on his flank, Term Limits with the wide trip and Fight Knight continued to bring up the rear.

The field made their want into the lane and was met by the roar of the crowd… moving past the three-sixteenth’s pole, Flop continued to show the way but Bold Intruder was cutting into the lead in quick fashion.  Strike asked for more along the inside, Apirana with a bold move and now in striking distance, then a long gap to the rest of the field… the distance seemed to be taking it’s toll on them. 

Deep stretch and to the wire, Flop trying to make his speed last but not on this afternoon as Bold Intruder went by that one like he was standing still… it was all Bold Intruder in the final eighth and he went under the wire clear by a recorded length, but looked more like two or more.  Apirana closed a late gap and edged past flop for the second spot, another neck to Flop in third and Strike took home the minor share.  

Congrats to The Sidley Stud and all the connections to Bold  Intruder… and on to Louisville!    

$2 Mutuel Prices:

Winner:  Bold Intruder  B g 3   Bold Tower – Screwed by Calm Command
Owner: The Sidley Stud      Breeder: Pan Farms (NY)
Track: Fast             Time: :47¹  1:11²  1:35⁴  1:54  (1:54.13  New Track Record)
$1 Exacta: 2 – 7 Paid 64.10      $1 Trifecta: 2 – 7 – 13 Paid 336.80
Scratched: Guapo (L)

Categories: Grade II, STAKES ARTICLES, TC 2026, THE TRIPLE CROWN