10/31/21

  2  WO     ONT Derby (GIII)    (BONUS COVERAGE)

              $150.000    3yo     1 1/8m  Dirt       123 lbs +penalties

You just gotta pay attention to the claim box…  since being nabbed out of a $14.000 claimer at SA back in March, Savannah Ruler has done nothing but stuff money in the bank and his biggest win came today as he took the ON Derby (GIII) by a neck at 54/1 odds, battling through the lane to get up in the final strides.  Booster set the pace throughout this one, but just couldn’t hold off the eventual winner, taking the runner up spot as the second longest shot on the board, being dismissed at 10/1 odds.  Post-time favorite Electric was another half-length back in third with Southern speed taking the minor money.  The final running time was 1:48.04, a new stakes record. 

Savannah Ruler is a 3yo gray gelded son of Fractal – Savannah Lights, by Stars And Bars, and he was bred in Cal by Barcelona Farms.  As mentioned, he was claimed by Night Rider Stables for $14.000  and now has three wins from six lifetime starts and earnings of $220.200.  That’s back-to-back stakes wins and his first graded victory.  Congrats to the connections! 

$2 Mutuel Prices:

Track: Fast           Time: :47³  1:11¹  1:35²  1:48
$1 Exacta: 2 – 1 Paid 305.50        $1 Trifecta: 2 – 1 – 6 Paid 1,531.00
Scratched: None

Savannah Ruler tracked the pace from the rail while unhurried, moved to the 2p at the top of the lane while gaining on the pace setter, up to take over inside the final 150-yards, won driving.  Booster set the pace to the final 150-yards, headed, good effort.  Electric tracked the pace 3p to the top of the lane, fanned 6p for the drive, best of rest.  Southern Speed trailed, best foot too late.  Sports Page rated, asked, no response.  Galactic Command chased the pace between horses, 3p for the drive, tired.  Auger rated off of the pace, no factor. 

Categories: Grade III, STAKES ARTICLES