Saturday, April 09, 2011

MIDNIGHT INTERLUDE WINS THE SANTA ANITA DERBY!

Midnight Interlude pulled off a 13-1 upset in the Santa Anita Derby (gr. I) tonight at Santa Anita Park, rallying strongly in deep stretch to catch Comma to the Top in the final strides.

Ridden by Victor Espinoza, Midnight Interlude was parked very wide throughout the race as Comma to the Top set a reasonable pace up front. Offlee Wild Boys was second along the rail, with Silver Medallion sitting third. Midnight Interlude was fourth, followed by Indian Winter, Mr. Commons, Quail Hill, Anthony's Cross, and Bench Points trailing the field.

Turning for home, Comma to the Top kicked clear from the field and looked like a winner at the top of the stretch. But Midnight Interlude, at 13-1, was rallying on the far outside. Despite having to check just a bit behind Comma to the Top as that one drifted outward in the stretch, Midnight Interlude came home gamely to win the race by a head in 1:48.66.

Mr. Commons came on well to finish third, with Silver Medallion finishing fourth.

The winner is trained by Bob Baffert, who was winning his sixth Santa Anita Derby.

-Keelerman

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