HOL Derby (Grade 1)- $300.000 Purse
DMR- For Three Year Olds
One Mile and One Eighth on the Turf
November 30, 2019

This race was billed as the return of the top two from the BC Turf returning to action to face one another. Well, that never happened, as Dead Madness would end up being a late scratch. The runner up from the race, Sumi Gaeshi, might of well been a scratch as well after a last place finish. Meanwhile, Aml Racing made a jockey change with his entry, Argead, giving the ride to J I Velez. The gelding had been two for two on the grass, and after nine furlongs here in the HOL Derby, that streak remains in tact as he picks up his third consecutive win. It is the first win in the stake for both Aml Racing and J I Velez, so congratulations to them! The time of the win was 1:45.28. Let’s take a look!

(½ Mile- :46.74)- The early lead goes to Mo Mentum Farm’s Tourniquet as the field becomes rather neatly lined up down the front stretch and into the opening turn. Soviet Warrior is a length behind the leader for Mb Stables, and sitting just off the top two is Maxmillion Farm’s Sumi Gaeshi, who was now a pretty big post time favorite after the scratch of Dead Madness. In the middle of the field, we had Prince Of Theories, for Mb Stables, running to the inside of our eventual winner, Aml Racing’s Argead. At this point, he was about four lengths behind the leader. It’s one more length to Sunlander, and another to both Homme de Guerre (John Henry) and Kray Kray Kray (Blushing Meadows).

(3/4 Mile- 1:09.90)- For most of the backstretch portion, there was not much going on but that began to change just as we hit this six furlong point. Tourniquet had been caught and Soviet Warrior was hoping to go on by to the outside. After a two length back, we saw a push from Argead, running in the money lane, and he was bringing Prince Of Theories with him. The two of them pulled up to the outside of Sumi Gaeshi, who was not responding to this move. They were now three lengths back. Further back, Homme de Guerre was looking particularly ambitious and seemed to desire making a large outside move over the course of the turn. Sunlander and Kray Kray Kray were holding their own for now.

(Top Of Stretch, 1.5F To Go)- Soon after the field reached the turn, Argead responded with even more run, and quickly cut into that three length deficit. Now in the fourth lane, he was just about ready to take over the top spot as they hit the top of the stretch. It did not seem as though Tourniquet or Soviet Warrior would have any way of holding him off at this point, but there was still some concern about Prince Of Theories. This one had been running with Argead most of the way, and was also moving forward. However, Argead did have a half length on him now, so as long as he could maintain his stride, he had a great shot. Homme de Guerre continued to push forward nicely as well, but still needed to find a way to make up the ground on Argead. Sumi Gaeshi continued to lose ground and had his supporters in the stands staring in disbelief. Sunlander and Kray Kray Kray were not out of it, but needed to get moving.

(Finish- 1:45.28)- In the stretch, Argead was clearly the best, and would only extend his lead on Prince Of Theories. While it would not be a larger margin of victory then a length, Argead was comfortable throughout and seemed to win quite easily. For second, Homme de Guerre’s push saw him come up short and miss the headbob at the wire with Prince Of Theories for second. Prince Of Theories ran well throughout, and has nothing to be disappointed about. Behind them, was that really a three way dead heat for fourth? Indeed it was! Kray Kray Kray, Sunlander, and Tourniquet will split the fourth place check three ways. Soviet Warrior was next, and Sumi Gaeshi is a head scratching last, two lengths behind Soviet Warrior.

About The Winner- Argead, trained by Aml Racing and ridden to victory by J I Velez, is a three year old gelding by Scott The Great, and is out of Sandbar. He was bred in California by Team 7 Illusions as a yearling, and acquired by Aml Racing from Smokey Stover in the June 2019 auction for $160.000. Congratulations to the connections! The win is his fifth in 13 starts, his third stake win, and second graded win. He is also now 3-for-3 on the grass with two graded wins. His career earnings are now $472.040.

Track: Firm
Time: :46³  1:09⁴  1:33³  1:45¹

$2 Mutuel Prices:

$1 Exacta: 9 – 6 Paid 83.90
$1 Trifecta: 9 – 6 – 2 Paid 426.80

Scratched: Dead Madness(L)

— NS

Categories: Grade I, STAKES ARTICLES