September 26, 2016
The 2016 Grade II PA Derby was one of the best assembling of three-year-old talent since the KYD and Ned Isakoff came with a massive rush to run down a loose-on-the-lead Blue Guy and score his third win of the year, while putting himself to the head of the Classic picture. A son of SA Handicap winner Il Miglio Fabro, who himself is a son of Grade I BEL winner The Maestro, he will now try to do something his sire and grandsire failed at and that is win the richest race of the year and cement his status as the best of his generation.
There is a good enough run into the first turn at PRX that the outside runners can make a move for the lead in order to save some ground and Blue Guy (17.85) and Atomic Twister (5.50) did just that, with Larry L Lavender (9.50) showing brief speed inside. The two leaders were able to get down to the rail but The Perfect Day (14.95) was not so lucky in a wide run and Overspender (7.25) also found himself far out into the first turn as Blue Guy took command by more than a length. The lengthy leader rolled to a clear lead into the backstretch as a line of four chased him and Black Mojo (*4.70) held The Perfect Day wide with The Rook (34.55) in between horses at long odds. The half-mile came up in 46.83 and no one was really eager to take on Blue Guy but as Atomic Twister inched forward, Edwin Drood (5.30) slowly started to advance wide while others looked for room. Six-furlongs went on the board in 1:10.24 and Blue Guy was in control and at the head of the lane, the outside flow was stalking with an inside move the difference for those who would prove the best. Atomic Twister was still moving forward after his good break but with room between horses, Ned Isakoff (6.65) was new onto the scene but was still two-lengths back inside the 1/16th pole. Blue Guy was absolutely huge on the lead but the fractions eventually caught up with him and Ned Isakoff ran down the speed to score the win by a neck, with the runner-up just holding off Atomic Twister for third. Edwin Drood came from the parking lot for fourth, Black Mojo and Red Leaf (15.60) were in another state while fifth and sixth, and Larry L Lavender and Dog Got Wings (12.60) hugged the rail in midpack. The Rook faded from contention, Cafe Nativo (27.30) never got involved, Overspender and The Perfect Day were wide throughout and Great Monsoon Spirit (29.95) was outrun against much tougher rivals.
You have to think that Ned Isakoff, with wins in the Grade I PRK and now the Grade II PA Derby, has to be considered the leader of the three-year-old colt division and a top candidate for the BC Classic against older runners, whom he has faced and beaten already this year. The group he bested at PRX on Saturday includes four horses who have enough points right now to make the biggest race of the year and he handled them at nine-furlongs, with the extra furlong only adding to his closing ability.
Congratulations goes out to owner Jerry Garcia Racing and their three-year-old colt Ned Isakoff, a last gasp winner of the Grade II PA Derby at PRX!
Prediction Ned Isakoff / Edwin Drood / Black Mojo
Winner Ned Isakoff
Three-year-old bay colt
Il Miglio Fabro-Never Laffin (Laffin Policeman)
Owner Jerry Garcia Racing
Time 46.83, 1:10.24, 1:34.71, 1:47.65
Overall
Ned Isakoff 6.65 sat patiently, between rivals, up in time
Blue Guy 17.85 set pace, clear into lane, caught
Atomic Twister 5.50 sharp break, saved ground, missed
Edwin Drood 5.30 wide run throughout
Black Mojo *4.70 caught wide, no late gains
Red Leaf 15.60 even effort
Larry L Lavender 9.50 inside run from start
Dog Got Wings 12.60 midpack throughout
The Rook 34.55 broke well, faded
Cafe Nativo 27.30 no threat
Overspender 7.25 wide run
The Perfect Day 14.95 wide run
Great Monsoon Spirit 29.95 outrun
Triple T Racing 🙂
Categories: Grade II, STAKES ARTICLES
