LA Derby
1 1/8 Mile Dirt Stake Purse $125.000 Open 3 Year Olds.

1st Next Gen Iolaus Racing Figueroa C

This pint-sized tank has been 15.1hh since December last year when it ran its debut so without any growth for 7 months, I guess he is destined to be the David against Goliath in his remaining career. He got the lead today as hoped but was never left alone and had just enough of a lead into the final furlong to hold on by a nose. If he ever grows a hand, he will be a superstar but even if he doesn’t, he proved today that you don’t have to be big, you just have to be good.

2nd Rebel Agenda Night Rider Stables Hernandez J J

Fourth in a $12.500 mile claimer for Barcelona Farms when he was claimed as a maiden the stable with the magic touch once again pulled a rabbit out of the hat to nearly win a stakes race 5 months later. Closing like a train just as he had done in the Affirmed, I really think the DEA should be checking the feed at this stable as what they do with these claimers is nothing more than miraculous. As a disclaimer in this PC world, I would just like to add that that last part was a joke.

3rd Fig Fuel Fractious Vazquez R A

Proved he was worth the $50,000 claim with a closing third today that will have given the trainer some hope for the future.

4th Censored Mb Stables Maldonado E

Worried the winner for a long way but in the end could not stay with him and just whacked away under the whip for fourth. Only beaten a length though so this wasn’t a bad effort, but I do think he is better over the mile when going on pace.

Categories: STAKES ARTICLES, Ungraded