7/4/2015  Post Time 3:20PM
RACE 7 BEL    The BEL Derby Invitational (GI)
$1,250.000     3yo     1  1/4m    InTurf

Another day, another dreadful dead-heat.  In the never-ending world of ties, Desolation Island and Chrystal Pip couldn’t be separated at the finish of Saturday’s BEL Derby Invitational (GI), as they both finished in a final time of 2:00.34 for the classic mile and a quarter distance, on a turf course marked as good.  Steel Moon was a half-length back in third.

The field of thirteen sophomores got away from the gate in good order with Steel Moon showing speed from the far outside.  Rogue Warrior from the middle of the line, Sindaco Di Firenze from the inside Bombastic Kathology next to that one.  Skhyperion was next, Ponder and Dogs Dragon then Desolation Island, Dwight D Eisenhower, Foggy Vision, Michelangelo, Chrytal Pip back towards the outside and Informa was slowest away from the gate.

Making their way into the clubhouse turn, a mile left to run, and Rogue Warrior had the lead by a length.  Desolation Island found the rail and space, Dogs Dragon next to that one and Steel Moon now four wide, the trio in line behind the leader.  Another length and a half back to the foursome of Ponder from the outside, Bombastic Kathology, Skyperion and Sindaco Di Firenze.  Chrystal Pip five wide into the turn and a five from the leader, Foggy Vision to his inside, Michelangelo on the rail, then another length back to Dwight D Eisenhower, caught wide, and Informa, widest of all and seven lengths from the front end.

Around the clubhouse turn and now midway down the back-side, Rogue Warrior continuing to set the pace and in front by a length and a quarter.  Steel Moon keeping the pressure on, Desolation Island another half length back from the inside, three wide and three from the lead, Ponder had Dogs Dragon to his inside and Skhyperion from the rail.  Another length to Bombastic Kathology sandwiched between Sindaco Di Firenze from the inside and Chrystal Pip to his outside.  Michelangelo still skimming the rail Foggy Vision on his flank, two more back to Informa and Dwight D Eisenhower could see them all, eight lengths covering the field.

Now midway on the turn and past the 5/16th’s pole, things were getting tight on the front end.  Rogue Warrior still showing the way but his lead was down to a neck.  Desolation Island was moving forward with every jump, and Steel Moon was now three wide and joining that pair.  A gap of two and a half back to Ponder, Dogs Dragon to his inside and Skhyperion still clinging to the rail.  Chrystal Pip was five wide and beginning to extend his stride, with Bombastic Kathology just to the inside of that one.  Another length back to Sindaco Di Firenze, Foggy Vision to his outside, Michelangelo to his inside, then Informa and Dwight D Eisenhower was the trailer, seven lengths covering this group.

Down the lane and nearing the furlong marker, the race to the wire was in full bloom.  Desolation Island up to take the lead Rogue Warrior and Steel Moon giving chase, Chrystal Pip feeling the whip and closing fast six wide down the center of the course…  the rest were fighting for the minor share at best as the were now inside the final furlong.

The final 150-yards of this one was nothing but pure excitement…  Desolation Island, Steel Moon fighting back, Chrystal Pip flying down the outside, fastest of all, and as they hit the wire, it was a blur of horses and silks… and the PHOTO sign was lit on the tote board.  After viewing the instant video replay, the judges just could not separate Desolation Island and Chrystal Pip, and we had a dead-heat for the win.  Steel Moon was a half-length back in third then two more back to Bombastic Kathology in fourth.  Rogue Warrior tired late to be fifth, then Informa, Foggy Vision, Dogs Dragon in eighth, Skhyperion in ninth Ponder, Dwight D Eisenhower in elevnth, Sindaco Di Firenze, and Michelangelo was last of thirteen.

Desolation Island is a 3yo chestnut gelding by Roaring Fifties – Bushie Rye Bred, by Northern Ruler, and he was bred in CA by Barcelona Farms.  This was his sixth win from eleven starts and he now has $870.960 in earnings.  Claimed by his current owner, Mb Stables for $50.000, this one is certainly proving to be a smart purchase.

Chrystal Pip is a 3yo chestnut colt by Pip Boy – Chrystal Bubba, by Chrystal Ball, and he was bred in CA by his owner, Chili King Stables.  He now has three wins from twelve starts and earnings of $961.520. 

$2 Mutuel Prices:

Track: Good      Time: :47²  1:11¹  1:35³  2:00¹
$1 Exacta: 5 – 12 Paid 50.40, 12 – 5 Paid 55.20      $1 Trifecta: 5 – 12 – 13 Paid 265.30, 12 – 5 – 13 Paid 265.30
Scratched: None

Categories: Grade I