SA Derby (Grade 1)- $1,000.000 Purse
SA- For Three Year Olds
One Mile and One Eighth on the Dirt
April 8, 2017

Positive Thinking may have flown under the radar behind a slew of other contenders that trainer Mb Stables has in his barn.  That has not really mattered, though, as he has shown plenty of heart when he has been given the chance to step up against the best.  He has made his recent home here, winning the Grade 3 Lewis in February, and then finishing a strong third in the San Felipe.  It is a victory that if he were in any other stable would send him to the KYD, but Mb Stables must choose three, and he’s the only one who knows which three he prefers at this point.  We do know that the second place runner, Slither, will be heading to the KYD, as should Niner Forty Niner, but until the AR Derby is official, don’t want to say that’s automatic yet.   Back to Mb Stables, this is his second SA Derby win in a row.  Jockey J R Velazquez has now won the race twice as well.  The time of the victory was 1:48.18.  Congratulations!  Let’s look at how it played out!

(½ Mile- :47.20)- Particularly sharp out of the gate is Slither, from Night Mare Racing.  It looks like might open up a length or two lead heading into the opening turn, but J J Castellano keeps his speed in check well.  The anticipated quick running General Flecha (Mb Stables) does not surprise anyone by being up there to challenge Slither, and it would be this filly leading the way by a nose.  Running three wide, also breaking alertly was the longshot France, from Blushing Meadows.    These three show the way early, and you need to go back another three to find Caught Stealing (Sir Daniel Martin) running by himself with eventual winner Positive Thinking (Mb Stables) right behind him.  Night Terra finds himself in the middle of the field for Kopites, hoping to have a big run on the rail.  Then it’s the rest of the field, with Darth Andedudu (Diablo Diablo), Above The Law (Mb Stables), and Indiana Jones (John Henry) three wide, then a length back to another three wide consisting of Dark Victory (Paradise Stable), Cuddly Brit (Maxmillion Farm), and Niner Forty Niner (Serenity Stables)

(3/4 Mile- 1:10.79)- The natural early running of speed of Slither begins to show its strength over the ones that may have just been at the front tactically.  Slither remains in a graceful stride over the backstretch and into the turn, keeping in tight to the rail.  General Flecha and France begin to back off.  Positive Thinking is starting to loom as a contender as he makes his move around Caught Stealing.  He has three lengths to make up, but has a clear outside lane in which to work with.  Night Terra is hanging on right behind them, and the rest of the pack remains unchanged.

(Top Of Stretch, 1.5F To Go)- Slither has given those that had been running with him the slip, and has pulled out now to a two length advantage.   Positive Thinking had worked the turn especially well while in the fourth lane and had cut into the advantage of Slither just a little bit.  He would be in reach, but it would take an all out drive in order to get him.  General Flecha was lingering around with some decent fight, though France began backpedaling.  Caught Stealing had a nice clear lane in front of him along the rail and had a great opportunity if he had the stretch fight in him.  Night Terra is clinging to his position, but on the far outside, a power move by Niner Forty Niner is beginning to take shape.  Indiana Jones was trying to go with him, but it would be Niner Forty Niner with a better lane to work with.  The others still were not showing much.

(Finish- 1:48.18)- Positive Thinking needed absolutely everything he had.  In the end we saw a great stretch battle between two that clearly have a ton of heart.  The powerful momentum that Positive Thinking would be too much for Slither, but Slither absolutely made him earn it.  On the far outside, Niner Forty Niner had an impressive effort himself to get closer.  He’ll have to be just a little closer next time, and not concede as much early ground as he did.   Caught Stealing’s steady stride on the rail got fourth for him, and General Flecha ran well to finish 5th.  After that, throw a blanket on them.  Jumbo finish deluxe between 6th and 12th.

About the winner: Positive Thinking is a three year old colt trained by Mb Stables and ridden to victory by J R Velazquez.  He is by Take The Plunge and out of Positrina, and was bred as a yearling by his trainer in Ontario.  Congratulations to the connections!  This is his second win in five starts, and his career earnings now sit at $756.08.

KYD Point Picture:
Positive Thinking sits atop the leaderboard with 120 points.  He has to be picked by Mb Stables, right?

Slither’s 54 points has him 15th, and he will also be part of the big race.

Niner Forty Niner has 30 points, and is 20th overall.  Serenity Stables will be sweating out the AR Derby but could take solace in knowing a few Mb Stables horses ahead of him will not be picked.

Above The Law did not do much at all here, but his 60 points would have him in, if the trainer picks him.

It appears as though Caught Stealing and Indiana Jones will come up short.

Track: Fast
Time: :47¹  1:10³  1:35¹  1:48

$2 Mutuel Prices:

$1 Exacta: 7 – 9 Paid 79.90
$1 Trifecta: 7 – 9 – 12 Paid 415.00

Scratched: None

— NS

Categories: Grade I, STAKES ARTICLES