The IND Derby – Grade III
1 1/16 Mile Dirt Stake Purse $500.000 Open 3 Year Olds.

1st How To Laff, trained by Serenity Stables
Probably the best of the TC failures, he showed once again the guts that won him the Gotham with a last gasp nose win. Travelling off the pace, but in touch, he came out best in a very close finish repaying a fair amount of the $400.000 he cost his new owner.

2nd Mancini, trained by Our Athletes
Right on the speed, it looked like he had made a winning break before the winner nutted him on the line. Another TC failure which bounced back to his pre-Derby form, we will certainly be seeing him try again at this sort of level.

3rd = Heez On Fire, trained by Aml Stables
Came from a fair way back, but just failed to get there dead heating for third, just a half length off the winner. This was a great effort by the previously average looking three year old, and I am sure he will come on for this first effort in black type company.

3rd = Made To Sin, trained by John Henry
The Fountain Of Youth winner was the third of the TC failures to cash a cheque in this race, and like the six of the seven runners its hard to say he got beat when there was only a length covering them. Sticking on gamely from the stalk, he just couldn’t find the turn of foot needed to win.

SUMMARY
There was only a length covering the first six home here, so it’s hard to say any one of these runners came out as superior, but today was How To Laff’s day and noone can say he didnt deserve it.

Categories: STAKES ARTICLES