HOL Derby (Grade 1)- $300.000 Purse
DMR- For Three Year Olds
One Mile and One Eighth on the Turf
December 1, 2018

Sezarchai had never taken on graded competition before, though he has always been able to have a good showing wherever he was entered. With one exception, Sezarchai had collected a check for his trainer, Ekli Stable, every time he was out on the track. He did well in ungraded stakes, and won his prior start, fittingly named the Showing Up. Showing up is exactly what Sezrchai did in the HOL Derby, running his race and picking up the big win. He’s only three, so you have to be intrigued by what his future might hold for him if he continues to run well at this level. Certainly, he is one to watch. For now, Ekli Stable will celebrate his first career win in the race. Jockey J L Ortiz is a two time winner, and has now won the race the last two years. The time of the win was 1:45.50. Let’s take a look!

(½ Mile- :47.43)- From the middle of the gate, both Winter Solstice, out of Maxmillion Farm, and Joffre, from Mb Stables, shoot right out to the lead. They battle it out briefly, though Winter Solstice takes the advantage by about a length, and Joffre is content to let that be how they ran around the opening turn. Sezarchai, our eventual winner from Ekli Stable, also started well, but not with the same emphatic push as the top two. This allowed him to sit comfortably just off the lead by a length and a half, as Siberian Prince, from Sir Daniel Martin ran to his inside. Eventually, they would be joined by Royal Eclipse, though the Chili King Stables entry was not initially strong, and used the run around the first turn to advance his position. After a length, its Call Me Spanish (Maxmillion Farm) and Nitemare (D J C Racing Stables). They trailed at the get-go, but were a little better then the remaining two, and picked off those spots. Id Rather Go Blind (TwinTowersRacing), and the post-time favorite, People Doubted (Aml Racing) are the new trailers.

(3/4 Mile- 1:10.44)- The backstretch portion of the race saw the frontrunners maintain their positions, so there is not much to write about at that end. Winter Solstice still leads, with Joffre second. As they got closer to the turn, Sezarchai makes his intentions known and looks to split the top two, and he has a very good lane available in which to do this. Siberian Prince and Royal Eclipse, who had been running with him, were not as ambitious. Call Me Spanish was looking for a gap in the middle of the field, and both Id Rather Go Blind and People Doubted pulled up to join Nitemare, but still had plenty of distance to make up.

(Top Of Stretch, 1.5F To Go)- Winter Solstice is still in front, and ran well around the turn. He had to, because Sezarchai was pouring it on here. He used the lane between the top two perfectly, and only a strong effort to cling to the lead by Winter Solstice kept him from taking the lead at this point. Joffre was also hanging on pretty as well as the top three looked like they could have an entertaining stretch duel. Royal Eclipse moved four wide, and had a good position for himself here if he could outrun the top three. Siberian Prince was running steady, though not gaining on the frontrunners, as Call Me Spanish was getting a little closer to him. Id Rather Go Blind and People Doubted still were at the back, and it seemed as though there was s slight, though big enough opening for Id Rather Go Blind on the rail if he had a powerful close coming. People Doubted would have to follow Royal Eclipse. Nitemare continued to trail.

(Finish- 1:45.50)- In the stretch, we get an exciting battle between both Sezarchai and Winter Solstice. Sezarchai completes the pass about midway through, but Winter Solstice would not give up without a strong fight, giving us a tight finish at the wire. Sezarchai prevails in the photo, and both of these two should be commended for their effort. Royal Eclipse came on well to be third, topping Joffre who was not quite able to keep up with the two front runners. Siberian Prince is fifth, a bit ahead of Id Rather Go Blind, but don’t expect Id Rather Go Blind’s jockey, P Lopez, to send Siberian Prince’s jockey, G Boulanger a Christmas card as Siberian Prince blocked the lane that Id Rather Go Blind had (nothing wrong with doing this), forcing Lopez to alter his path. Id Rather Go Blind was probably the quickest out of everyone in the stretch, once free. People Doubted is next, disappointing as the post time favorite, followed by Call Me Spanish, and eventually, Nitemare.

About the Winner: Sezarchai, trained by Ekli Stable, and ridden to victory by J L Ortiz, is a three year old colt by Proud Chai, and it out of Sezarkan. He was bred in Kentucky as a yearling by Ekli Stable, the only trainer for which he has ever known. Congratulations to the connections! The win is his fourth in 11 starts, his second stake win, and first graded win. His career earnings are now $306.630.

Track: Firm
Time: :47²  1:10²  1:33³  1:45²

$2 Mutuel Prices:

$1 Exacta: 2 – 5 Paid 57.60
$1 Trifecta: 2 – 5 – 8 Paid 1,763.00

Scratched: None

— NS

Categories: Grade I, STAKES ARTICLES