The Iowa Derby- Grade 3 ($250.000 Purse)
PRM- For Three Year Olds
One Mile and One Sixteenth on the Dirt
July 1, 2016

For the first time in 2016, Lord Byron found his way to the winner’s circle after being part of a group of closers who came from off the pace in the Iowa Derby on Friday.  Lord Byron chased TC dreams this year, but would be disappointing in the Fountain of Youth and the AR Derby, and this led to him being overlooked slightly when comparing him to the likes of Rising Light and The Perfect Day. It was different at PRM, and Lord Byron dug in deep and found the old form he had before the TC chase, and picked up the win in a stake and track record time of 1:41.55.  Trainer Jerry Garcia Racing is the proud owner, and wins the IA Derby for the first time as does jockey K J Desormeaux.

1st- 3- Lord Byron (9/1)- Our eventual race winner from Jerry Garcia Racing went right to the pack early on, and kept one of his top challengers, The Perfect Day, company back there, about five lengths from the leaders as they moved into the backstretch.  K J Desormeaux did very well not too have too far back early, and this allowed him to size up those in front of him to try and figure would be stronger in the turn.  He would move off the rail and opt to follow Franchise Player, would was following Bright Castle, and that one was the strongest for this portion of the race.  As Franchise Player moved down to make a move of his own, Lord Byron pounced on the vacated lane all the while The Perfect Day was having no choice but to go five wide.  Thanks to Intangable Hawaiian being so poor in the turn and entering the stretch, K J Desormaux was able to move Lord Byron inside a lane at the top of the stretch with minimal effort to prepare for the move around Bright Castle.  In the stretch, he was full of drive, just like The Perfect Day, but a perfect trip really meant the difference in his ability to be ahead of his primary rival at this point. Both ran gamely to the wire, and in impressive, Lord Byron picks up the win! The time of the race was 1:41.55, and that sets a new track record!  Congratulations to the winner!  Lord Byron is a three year old colt by Pink Panther and out of Function (In The Box), giving him some very nice blood, for sure.  He was bred in California by Team 7 Illusions as a yearling and was sold in private sales unraced (potentially as a virgin given the sale date and breeder tendencies) for $99.770 to Jerry Garcia Racing, where he has raced his entire career.  Congrats to the connections!

2nd- 6- The Perfect Day (3/1)- Not surprisingly, the slight post time favorite from Pan Farms was not interested in running early and quickly assumed his position in the back.  R J Albarado rode him well in the turn, and began to put his in a better position for his closing bid.  Because Rising Light needed to swing out four wide in the turn, The Perfect Day did not have the perfect closing trip and had to make a long, five wide run, along the final turn while Lord Byron was able to split the gap and follow Bright Castle through.  In the stretch, we saw him at his best, but having to cover more race track then everyone else played a large part in his inability to beat Lord Byron.

3rd- 5- Rising Light (3/1)- Initially out of the gate, the Nakamura Stables entry seemed ready to run, but would be restrained off the early pace pretty quickly and would run in the middle of the pack early.  Seemed to patiently wait for his time to strike in the backstretch, and would pull out about four wide almost simultaneously with Franchise Player in the turn. Had a wide trip as well around the turn, and ended up strong in the stretch but would be outkicked by the top two in the stretch.

4th- 4- Bright Castle (4/1)– Started well for John Henry, and would race the early moments alongside Leaving Arizona about a length back.  He would gradually inch his way closer to Intangable Hawaiian in the backstretch, and make the pass for the lead soon after entering the turn.  Took a length lead at the top of the stretch, but the drive of the top three would be a little too much for him to hold off. Battled well, though.

5th- 2- Franchise Player (9/1)– Ran in the middle of three wide between Prime Time Opus and Rising Light behind the pacesetters and ahead of the closers, early.  Stayed in this line for a while, and looked to move to the outside of the leaders in the turn, and was fortunate that Rising Light had the same idea. He would have a good run put together for the stretch, but like Bright Castle the top horses are pros at coming from behind and were too much at this point.

6th- 1- Prime Time Opus (4/1)- Patiently maintained his position along the rail for trainer Aer stables, starting midpack and being about three lengths from the lead as they moved into the backstretch.  Ran steady with little spark as those behind him began to make their moves. Unable to put together a stretch drive.

7th- 7- Leaving Arizona (8/1)- The Kopites entry started well out of the gate, and stalked Intangable Hawaiian around the opening turn.  Continued to race alongside him for the backstretch, and into the turn.  Had nothing for the closers, and packed it in as well for the stretch.

8th- 8- Intangable Hawaiian (148/1)- The longest shot on the board from Mwn Racing had his few supporters screaming like future lottery winners around the first turn, setting the opening quarter in :23.56 and half in :47.33.  Passed for the lead in the turn, and that would be the end of his day.

Track: Fast
Time: :23²  :47¹  1:11   1:41²

$2 Mutuel Prices:

$1 Exacta: 3 – 6 Paid 25.90
$1 Trifecta: 3 – 6 – 5 Paid 68.20

Scratched: None

— NS

Categories: Grade III, STAKES ARTICLES