9/7/24

  1  CNL   VA Derby (GIII)       

$500.000    3yo    1 1/8m  Turf     122lbs

Get in front and improve position…  a saying as old as time.  Well, Mb Stables‘ Inherently did almost-that in Saturday’s VA Derby (GIII).  Leading at every call, the bay gelding went under the wire clear by three-quarters of a length, stopping the clock at 1:47.21 and taking home the lion’s share of the $500.000 purse.  But, as Ron would say… there’s more…  stable-mate Influence, the even money favorite, was second, capping off another big day for this monster stable.  It was a length back to Jersey JOe, from the D J C Racing Stables, then a quarter length to Maxmillion Farm’s Apple Slices in fourth.  Thresholds’ Zensation rounded this one out, three lengths from first to last, and we did have one scratch, as Chaparral Cowboy was excluded. 

That’s the last time this will be a late-summer turf race – next year, this race is planned to be moved to the spring and run on the main track as a prep for the KYD.  

It is an absolute shame that this race was over a track listed as GOOD, when it hasn’t rained in the area for quite some time, and RL CNL was Fast/Firm all day.  A perfect example of where the game needs to shore up and set things right – there is no reason not to get something that important to the game figured out and fixed. 

Categories: Grade III, STAKES ARTICLES