5/1/21
9 CD The Derby City Distaff (GI)
$500.000 3yoF 7f Dirt 122 lbs
The tote board was lit up in Saturday’s The Derby City Distaff (GI) as the long-shots proved to be the play. Team 7 Illusions Copper Mama moved up quickly when jostled and battled down the lane to take the bulk of the big purse, stopping the timer in 1:213 for the seven panels. It was a half length back to the Maxmillion Farm owned Grand 
Cyclone, sent off at 21/1 odds, the another half length to South Beach Racings Unprecedented, a 39/1 outsider. Even the fourth place horse, Dancinginflorida, owned by Night Rider Stable, was 25/1 as the favorites just couldn’t mount a charge in this one.
The field loaded into the gate just out of sight in the chute, and the gates flew open… Grand Cyclone jumping out of the gate and immediately taking command here, a foursome bunched behind the leader that included Roo from the rail, Social Gold and Tommy Frazier between horses, Unprecedented from the outside. Another two lengths back to Christina G from the rail, Copper Mama on the outside and Dancinginflorida between that pair. It was another two and a half length back to the trailing group of Tenrikyo, Belmont Hills, Empire World and Five Star Queen.
They made the long run down the backside and into the far turn with three and a half furlongs to run, Grand Cyclone continuing to show the way, Unprecedented edging up on her flank, then Tommy Frazier on the outside of Roo, Social Gold just off of that pair, Christina G on her inside, Copper Mama in the three path and starting to move. A gap back to Tenrikyo saving ground, Belmont Hills caught five wide, Five Star Queen just to her inside, Dancinginflorida inside of that one and Empire World could see them all.
Around the far turn, into the lane and at the three-sixteenths pole, Grand Cyclone in front by a half length, Unprecedented still giving that one all she wanted, a gap back to a wall of horses that included Social Gold, Roo from the rail, Tommy Frazier, Copper Mama widest of all, but a clear run, Christina G in the two path as all of this group was clear of traffic. A gap of two and a half, Dancinginflorida edging up, Empire World to her inside and Five Star Queen of the far outside as Tenrikyo continued to save ground and Belmont Hills trailed.
Now inside the final 150-yards and to the finish, we had a real battle on our hands… Grand Cyclone by a head, Copper Mama down the outside, Unprecedented between horses… and now Dancinginflorida emerging late… the battle to the wire was on, but today, it was all about Copper Mama as she got the best of them in the final stages and went under the wire in front by a half length. Grand Cyclone ran her eyeballs out but had to settle for the second spot, a half length in front of Unprecedented. Dancinginflorida closed a late gap but settled for the minor money, then Christina G in fifth, Roo was sixth, Empire World seventh, Social Gold eighth, Tommy Frazier ninth, Tenrikyo tenth, Five Star Queen eleventh and Belmont Hills closed this one out.
Copper Mama is a 4yo bay filly by Copper Beast – Sweet Mama, by Sweet Mama, and she was bred in NY by Smokey Stover. Acquired by Team 7 Illusions via Private Purchase for $130.000, she is proving to be a very smart purchase, now showing three wins since switching barns. Her record is now four wins from eleven starts, and earnings of $525.240. Congratulations to the connections!!
It should be noted that the dam of Copper Mama, Sweet Mama, is proving to be quite a broodmare, now having a pair of Grade I winners, with half brother Charleys Latte being the other. Keep an eye on her offspring.
$2 Mutuel Prices:
|
11 – Copper Mama |
18.30 |
9.70 |
4.70 |
|
6 – Grand Cyclone |
|
22.50 |
8.90 |
|
12 – Unprecedented |
|
|
9.00 |
Track: Fast Time: :221 :451 1:09 1:213
$1 Exacta: 11 – 6 Paid 92.90 $1 Trifecta: 11 – 6 – 12 Paid 1,484.10
Scratched: None
Copper Mama broke in hand, rated back to the far turn, improved position through the turn, battled down the lane, up late, won driving. Grand Cyclone sent from the gate, led to the final 150-yards, headed, game to the wire, second best. Unprecedented broke alertly, pressed the pace, out-finished. Dancinginflorida rated back after the start, drift back into the far turn, responded when asked, good late effort. Christina G raced evenly throughout, no excuse. Roo away well, pressed the pace to the lane, nothing left for the drive. Empire World away poorly, rated back, some late interest pacing tiring rivals. Social Gold raced forwardly to the far turn, tired. Tommy Frazier away well, good speed for a half, tired. Tenrikyo showed little interest, outrun. Five Star Queen lacked speed, outrun. Belmont Hills was outrun.
Categories: Grade I, STAKES ARTICLES
