Purchased less then a month ago from Smokey Stover for a quick ten bucks, Residue ( Fractious ) comes off the shelf for his new interests and walks away with his third Grade I title of his career, paying huge dividends in return.

• Gr. I CD Stakes – Purse $500.000
• Churchill Downs- Seven Furlongs Main track
• For Four Year Olds and Upward
• May 4th, 2019

So what actually made the difference for Residue here at Churchill Downs on Derby day? There were no equipment changes, instructions may have been changed, or was it the return of Bejarano to the irons that sparked life back into the four year old son of Charley Farley. After all, he did take this colt to victories in both the Grade I Vosberg and the Grade II Palos Verdes Stakes. The two definitely have a bond, and we very well may see it continue in the future.

From the very onset of the event, the duo were content to watch how things were going to develop from the back of the pack. Dropping back out of the chute so as not to stress his mount, Bejarano was in complete control. The opening quarter was a brisk 23.40 for a sloppy surface.

While the trio of Creepy Palace ( D J C Racing Stables ), Sonar ( John Henry ) and Major Wiener ( Night Rider Stables ) were duking it out entering the turn for home, Residue and company were starting to move slowly towards the front, keeping to the outside to avoid the bath from runners in front. The half was in 47.27.

With a furlong to run and it was all looking like Creepy Palace had this one sewn up now away by two lengths, Residue was still sticking to the far outside, pulling alongside Major Wiener for third. Three quarter time flashed on the tote in 1:12.21.

Then digging deep down inside himself, Residue would find another gear or bag of energy, and the colt would catch Creepy Palace and D E Centeno off guard. In the final strides to the wire, he would make up some three and a half lengths to win by a neck in a final time of 1:25.67. The four year old colt has a record of 17 ( 7-2-3 ) and better then $1200.000 in earnings.

For a trainer and owner watching from the stands, it had to be a tough pill to swallow for Dom of D J C Racing Stables watching the last 50 feet to the wire. Centeno had brought home the General George Stakes with this black five year old, but his efforts in these sloppy conditions may have just opened new doors to his future.

Down along the rail, Duke Or Earl ( Gdp Inc ) was attacking the final sixteenth of a mile in similar fashion to the eventual winner, just being unable to stay in stride with Residue. It was a beautiful picture of a brilliant effort by all three runners at the line. Its obvious that the patience this trainer took in the rebuild against allowance company has paid off.

Final runners in order of finish would be Game Cent ( Mb Stables ) who steadied in the early going to also mount a late charge to be two lengths out. His entry mate and post time favorite Under The Rug stayed pretty much mid pack throughout, closing to within two lengths as well. Controlled Lion ( Our Athletes ) attempted to stay with the front three early, but faded to be four out. John Henry entries of Z One Chance and Sonar would place seventh and ninth respectively, with Z One staying a modest pace back, and Sonar giving up the ghost in the stretch run. Between them would be Major Wiener, who fought gallantly until in final sixteenth.

Categories: Grade I, STAKES ARTICLES