SA Derby (Grade 1) (KYD)- $1,000.000 Purse
SA- For Three Year Olds
One Mile and One Eighth on the Dirt
April 6, 2019

Starting from the outside proved to not be an issue for Admiration, as he picks up another big win on Saturday for Mb Stables. Admiration has now won both the TAM Derby and the SA Derby, and one would think that will be enough to make him one of the three choices. Though it’s a shame we can’t say that with 100% certainty right now. This has become a good race for the trainer, as he has now won the SA Derby in three of the last four years. Prior winners were Dial It In and Positive Thinking. Last year, it was Pretty Ferro who took this race. On the jockey side, T Gaffalione is a first time winner of the race. The winning time was 1:48.43, not one of the quicker times of the race, but all that was needed. Let’s take a look!

(½ Mile- :45.00)- Odyssey Explorer shoots right out of the gate from Mb Stables and has no sign of a let up as he jumps out to the quick lead. Moving into the opening turn, it becomes obvious to everyone what his intention is as he sets a blistering quick half mile time. He doesn’t have anyone closely pursuing him, however, other then Tinecipher, to an extent. The Joshua Stables’ runner was two and a half off the lead, and it was another length and a half to the third place Majestical, for Smokey Stover. Devil Snake (Joshua Stables) was a head behind to his outside, and both Clueless Joe (Allinthegate) and Red Cup (Our Athletes) were within a length. Not To Be Denied (D J C Racing Stables) and More 2 Gain (Toppedout) were next in line. Questionable (Mb Stables) was nine lengths out, while Chrystal Believer (Maxmillion Farm) was ten and a half out. The eventual winner, Admiration (Mb Stables), was back here as well, as was Twin Towers (Estero Farms). Off the viewer were Good Cop (Joshua Stables) and Russian Dictator (Gdp Inc).

(3/4 Mile- 1:09.22)- About midway through the backstretch trip, Odyssey Explorer can no longer keep up the pace, and looks to pass the baton to his stablemates, although they were further back in the field. For now, it’s Majestical who’s closing in on him the quickest, and he has pulled to within a length and a half of the lead. Devil Snake is coming with him, continuing to be to his outside. Tinecipher looks to have been worn out from being the closest pursuer of the rabbit. Clueless Joe, Red Cup, and Not To Be Denied are all closing in, and at this point seemed to be in very good position. It was a gap of two to More 2 Gain, Questionable, and Chrystal Believer with none of them pushing forward as of yet. Admiration was now eight and a half lengths back, and had Twin Towers along his inside. Good Cop and Russian Dictator were still off the viewer.

(Top Of Stretch, 1.5F To Go)- Rounding the turn, Majestical was living up to his name by the looks of his graceful capturing of the lead. Both he and second place Devil Snake seemed to be looking real good here. They should not have been impacted too much by the quick pace, so one would thought the race would be decided by them. Red Cup was looking great along the outside, and both Clueless Joe and Not To Be Denied had run a solid race to this point, and were also in a good spot. Questionable was making an outside move now, and Admiration was one lane further out, closing the gap now to four lengths. Chrystal Believer was pushing forward, but potentially could run in to the back of others if a lane did not open up. Twin Towers was advancing, and finally, we could see Good Cop and Russian Dictator.

(Finish- 1:48.43)- With a furlong to go, Majestical packed it in, and could not keep up with those behind him. The powerful kick of Admiration was on display on the far outside, while Chrystal Believer got the lane that he needed. Not To Be Denied also responded with a great run of his own, and these three were all involved in the finish, that eventually goes to Admiration. Chrystal Believer is a close second, while Not To Be Denied settled for third, ahead of the closing Questionable. Twin Towers was in good stride late to be fifth, but could not make up the ground he had lost to the top three. Majestical disappointingly fatigued to sixth, over Devil Snake was equally as disappointing with his stretch performance. Red Cup is ninth, also being unable to make a move. Rounding out the running order are More 2 Gain, Good Cop, Russian Dictator, Clueless Joe, Tinecipher, and Odyssey Explorer.

About The Winner- Admiration, trained by Mb Stables and ridden to victory by T Gaffalione, is a three year old by Aggravation, and is out of the late Apple Cider. He was bred in California by Jader Stable, and acquired by Mb Stables, unraced, almost one year to the date, for $55.000. It’s his fourth win in eight starts, and his second graded win. His career earnings are now $935.800.

Track: Fast
Time: :45   1:09¹  1:35   1:48²

$2 Mutuel Prices:

$1 Exacta: 13 – 1 Paid 78.60
$1 Trifecta: 13 – 1 – 11 Paid 788.30

Scratched: Liberty Valance

— NS

Categories: Grade I, STAKES ARTICLES