7/4/2020

 3  LA     LA Derby (GIII)
$150.000        3yo       1 1/8m  Dirt              120lbs +penalties

Once again, Billy Joel cost me perfection…  long story.  Now, back to the race where Groovy keeps Mb Stables in the stakes race winner’s circle, taking Saturday’s LA Derby (GIII) by a half length, getting the mile and an eighth distance in 1:47.84 over a strip labeled fast.  Billy Joel made it interesting the entire way around the oval and held off the late charge of Remson, who was third. 

Seven went to post with the late declaration of Broke Red, and as they got away from the gate, long-shot Money Truck was away quickly, Billy Joel to the inside of that one, then drop down to the rail for Groovy and Remson, Red Dawning on the flank of that pair, City Sniper and Deadly Rivalry was the back marker.

The field moved through the clubhouse turn and neared the back stretch with six and a half furlongs to run, Money Truck had moved over to the rail and led by a length and a half.  A trio of followers with Billy Joel three wide, Groovy between horses and Remson on the rail, Red Dawning moving up four wide, then a gap of two back to City Sniper and Deadly Rivalry still the back marker, just to the inside of his foe.

Down the backside and nearing the far turn with three and a half furlongs left to run, we had a fore-some on the front end as Billy Joel was looking Money Truck in the eye, four wide, Groovy and Remson between that pair, then a gap of two back to Red Dawning, another length to City Sniper and Deadly Rivalry could still see them all, five lengths covering the field.

Around the far turn and into the lane, things were changing as Groovy was now in front by a neck, Billy Joel down the center of the track and going on with it, Remson towards the inside and trying to find more as Money Truck backed out of things, Red Dawning with a lot of work to do, City Sniper feeling the whip and Deadly Rivalry still at the rear and now six lengths from front to back. 

Inside the final 150-yards and to the finish, the leading trio had pulled away from the field with Groovy showing the way and taking the victory by a half length.  Billy Joel continued on well to take the runner-up spot with Remson unable to improve and settled for third.  It was a gap back to City Sniper in fourth, Deadly Rivalry fifth, Red Dawning sixth and Money Truck tired to be last in the field of seven.

Groovy is a 3yo bay gelded son of Marry Me Mandy – She Needsa Brazillian, by Condottieri, and was bred in LA by Jive Inc.  Purchased by Mb Stables for $100.000 via private contract, this was only his second win from eleven starts, but his seven other placings have helped him accumulate  lifetime earnings of $480.440 and it certainly doesn’t look like he’s anywhere close to being done with this race gig.

$2 Mutuel Prices: 

Track: Fast           Time: :47²  1:11   1:35¹  1:47⁴
$1 Exacta: 2 – 5 Paid 5.10     $1 Trifecta: 2 – 5 – 1 Paid 104.30
Scratched: Bobbin For Stars, Broke Red

Groovy was forwardly placed throughout, took over entering the lane, all out to hold sway, won driving.  Billy Joel tracked the pace-setter to the far turn, took over into the lane, headed inside the furlong marker and finished full of run.  Remson broke well, stayed with the pace, no excuse.  City Sniper taken back off of the pace early, best foot too late while no threat.  Deadly Rivalry trailed, passed tiring rivals.  Red Dawning mid-pack, wide trip, tired.  Money Truck broke alertly, set the pace to the far turn, folded from those efforts.

Categories: Grade III, STAKES ARTICLES