Art Of Boom delivered the biggest performance of his young career in the Grade II DMR Derby, turning a pace-tracking trip into a decisive late victory on the firm Del Mar turf. Sent away at slighly less than 9-1 for Nakamura Stables, the 3-year-old gelding stayed close throughout under Santana R Jr, took command in the stretch, and completed 1 1/8 miles in 1:45.68.

Race Recap

Art Of Boom captured the $300.000 DMR Derby (G2) for 3-year-olds, defeating five rivals over 1 1/8 miles on firm turf. The victory was particularly notable because it came in his first turf start since December and represented a sharp rebound from a sixth-place finish in the Dandy (G2) on dirt three weeks earlier.

Nakamura Stables both owns and trains Art Of Boom, while Santana R Jr had the winning ride. The gelding entered with two victories from three previous turf appearances, but this represented a substantial class test against a field headed by Regal Classic, the 7-5 post-time favorite.

The Derby unfolded with a measured opening before developing into a close contest through the latter stages. The recorded fractions were :47.1, 1:10.4 and 1:34.0, with the final time of 1:45.3 on the chart.

Art Of Boom was never more than a length from the leader at any recorded call. After sitting third early, he advanced to second, reached the front in the stretch and held Regal Classic’s challenge to win by a quarter-length.

The Running — Flow & Calls

Opening stage — :47.1: Terrible Tudor established the early advantage, leading by a half-length. Regal Classic was positioned second, a half-length from the leader, while Art Of Boom tracked in third, one length back. P C Police followed in fourth, three lengths behind, with Flight Of Fancy fifth and Estimated Profit sixth.

Middle stage — 1:10.4: Terrible Tudor continued to lead, although his advantage had narrowed to a nose. Art Of Boom improved from third to second and was only a nose behind the leader. Regal Classic slipped from second to third but remained just a half-length away. P C Police held fourth, Flight Of Fancy remained fifth and Estimated Profit continued sixth.

Approaching the stretch — 1:34.0: The complexion of the race changed. Art Of Boom moved past Terrible Tudor and took the lead by a half-length. Regal Classic advanced from third to second and was also a half-length from the new leader. Terrible Tudor dropped to third, while P C Police remained fourth and had reduced his deficit to one length. Flight Of Fancy continued fifth and Estimated Profit sixth.

Final stage: Art Of Boom maintained his advantage when it mattered, reaching the finish first in 1:45.68. Regal Classic continued his pursuit and finished second in 1:45.77. P C Police advanced from fourth to take third in 1:45.80. Flight Of Fancy also improved one position to finish fourth in 1:45.99, Estimated Profit finished fifth in 1:46.09, and early leader Terrible Tudor faded to sixth in 1:46.13.

The winner’s performance stands out for its efficiency: Art Of Boom remained within striking distance of the lead throughout, advanced when Terrible Tudor began to relinquish control, and had enough remaining to repel the favorite through the finish.

Each Runner Mentioned

Art Of Boom — 1st: Produced an excellent return to turf. He tracked the early pace in third, moved into second at the next call and then took command approaching the stretch. This was his second graded-stakes victory of the season and improved his turf record to three wins and one second from five starts.

Regal Classic — 2nd: The post-time favorite was prominent throughout. After racing second early, he was third at the next call before advancing back into second. He continued after Art Of Boom but could not quite get past the winner.

P C Police — 3rd: Raced fourth through each of the first three recorded calls before producing enough late progress to secure third. He finished only three-hundredths of a second behind Regal Classic.

Flight Of Fancy — 4th: Remained fifth through the early and middle portions of the race before improving to fourth at the finish. This was a significant distance change after his previous 2026 turf appearances had come at 5 and 5 1/2 furlongs.

Estimated Profit — 5th: Trailed the field at each of the first three calls before improving one position at the finish. The DMR Derby was his first recorded turf race.

Terrible Tudor — 6th: Supplied the early pace, leading through the first two calls before surrendering the advantage approaching the stretch. He was third at that point before weakening to sixth. The performance contrasted sharply with his previous turf appearance, when he won an allowance at 1 1/16 miles.

About The Winner

This victory strengthens the case that turf may be Art Of Boom’s most productive surface. His record now stands at 3 wins and 1 second from 5 turf starts, compared with an overall record of 6 wins, 1 second and 2 thirds from 16 starts.

Art Of Boom is a New York-bred son of Jack O Lantern out of Moving Art(1), bred by Woogaloo and currently owned by Nakamura Stables. Following the DMR Derby victory, his past performances list lifetime earnings of $963.080.

$2 Mutuel Prices:

Track: Firm Time: :47¹  1:10⁴  1:34  1:45³
$1 Exacta: 6 – 4 Paid 27.20 $1 Trifecta: 6 – 4 – 1 Paid 79.10
Scratched: None

Categories: Grade II, STAKES ARTICLES