12 FG LA Derby (GII)
$1,000.000 3yo 1 3/16m Dirt 122 lbs
Well I couldn’t have been more wrong about this race… The LA Derby (GII) with its new distance, may prove to be a major predictor of the KY Derby, and if so, Gdp Inc will be mighty happy to have Bound Bay in the spring-time classic. The bay gelding laid mid-pack, pushed forward to contend as they turned for home, and wore down the competition with a beautiful ground saving trip to win by the narrowest of margins in a final time of 1:543 on the fast FG main track. Tudor One proved to be a smart purchase taking the second spot, just missing the win and a length in front of Stark in third. Notorious Temper nabbed the minor money, just a nose out of third.
The lucky field of thirteen loaded into the gate and were away with Tudor One away well, Bound Bay from the inside, Better Back Off giving chase, Stark, Cherokee Twins and Moline in a group. Gordon Drive and King Que Niagra from out outside were next, Cairn Toul, Shadow Man, then Bobs Ticket, Notorious Temper and Spirited Stride was the early trailer.
The field went by the stands the first time, around the clubhouse turn and were getting ready to make the run down the backside with six furlongs to run and King Que Niagra was in front by a half length. Better Back Off on the rail, another length and a half to Stark, Moline to his inside Tudor One taken back and to the inside of that one, Gordon Drive five wide, Bound Bay under a hold and skimming the rail, another length and a half to Cherokee Twins, Bobs Ticket on his outside, then a gap to Notorious Temper, Shadow Man wide, Cairn Toul between horses and Spirited Stride saved ground while under a stiff hold.
Down the backside and now moving into the far turn and they went past the seven-sixteenths pole, King Que Niagra continued to show the way by almost two lengths. Better Back Off not going away while maintaining his rail run, Stark three wide and three back of the leader. Tudor One just off of that one with a clear run, Bound Bay continued to save ground, Gordon Drive still five wide with Moline to his inside, Cherokee Twins in behind that trio, then Bobs Ticket five wide, Gordon Drive between that pair, then a gap to Carin Toul, Spirited Stride and Shadow Man dropping back to last.
Around the far turn and into the lane, they moved past the three-sixteenths pole and we had a horse race on our hands as they were five across the track – Stark with a neck in front widest of all, Tudor One to his inside, King Que Niagra, Better Back Off and Bound Bay cutting the corner from the rail and a clear path. Most of the rest were scattered in behind that five-some and the race to the wire was on.
Inside the final 150-yards and to the finish, Tudor One with the lead down the center of the track, Bound Bay on near even terms and appreciating the ground saving trip, Stark widest of that group and trying to find more… but as they hit the wire, this was too close to call as Bound Bay and Tudor One hit the wire in a blur. After viewing the instant video replay, Bound Bay had won by the slimmest of margins with Tudor One taking a tough beat in second. It was a length back to Stark, just holding off Notorious Temper for third and Better Back Off another whisker back in fifth. Spirited Stride was sixth, Cairn Toul in seventh, Cherokee Twins eighth, King Que Niagra ninth, Moline tenth, Bobs Ticket in eleventh, Gordon Drive twelfth, Shadow Man closed this one out.
Bound Bay is a 3yo gelded son of Bottom Bay – Bound By Luck by Lucky Landing, and he was bred by his owner, Gdp Inc, in NY. This was his third win from ten starts, his first graded win, and he now has earnings of $801.200. Congrats to the owner and to Bound Bay!
$2 Mutuel Prices:
| 1 – Bound Bay | 14.40 | 6.70 | 5.80 |
| 8 – Tudor One | 10.20 | 8.00 | |
| 4 – Stark | 4.60 |
Track: Fast Time: :48 1:113 1:36 1:543
$1 Exacta: 1 – 8 Paid 111.70 $1 Trifecta: 1 – 8 – 4 Paid 636.20
Scratched: Anoush Command
Bound Bay broker alertly, taken back into the first turn, unhurried mid pack while saving ground, responded when asked, battled from the furlong marker home to prevail, driving. Tudor One up close throughout, lead with a furlong to run, battled, ceded in a game effort. Stark pressed the leader to the top of the lane, took over at that point, headed at the furlong marker, good effort. Notorious
Temper broke in hand, rated well off of the lead, split horses at the sixteenth marker, best foot too late. Better Back Off away well, up to press the lead while saving ground, asked, out-finished with no excuse. Spirited Stride raced at the rear til midway on the far turn, closed full of run while no threat. Cairn Toul rated back, some late run while passing tiring rivals. Cherokee Twins gave an even performance while no threat. King Que Niagra broke well, up to take the lead on the clubhouse turn, continued to show the way until headed into the lane, nothing left for the drive. Moline raced just in behind the top flight, tired from the turn to the wire. Bobs Ticket was outrun. Gordon Drive showed some early interest, tired. Shadow Man gave a dull effort.
Categories: Grade II
