Favored Russian Greek rallied from far off the early pace to win the California Derby at Golden Gate Fields by a length in terrific fashion.
The son of Giant's Causeway broke a step slowly under jockey Aaron Gryder, and ended up ten or twelve lengths off of the pace as Reconstruction set a moderate pace of :23.26 and :47.15 while leading by three lengths. Second choice Hodge was rating two wide in second, followed by Unveiled Heat, Cahill Chrome, Senor Rain, Blacky the Bull, and the trailing favorite.
The field began to bunch up leaving the backstretch, as Hodge, Unveiled Heat, and Cahill Chrome began to make serious bids for the lead. Around the turn, Reconstruction gave way to leave Hodge on the lead with Unveiled Heat and Cahill Chrome right behind him. Russian Greek was still last, but beginning to run.
Down the homestretch Hodge's drive began to lose steam, as did Unveiled Heat's, leaving Cahill Chrome briefly on the lead. But Russian Greek was absolutely flying down the center of the racetrack, and he blew past Cahill Chrome in deep stretch to win by a length, stopping the clock for the mile and a sixteenth event in 1:45.07.
Senor Rain came on mildly to finish third, while Hodge tired to fourth. The winner is trained by Jerry Hollendorfer and will be pointed toward the El Camino Real Derby (gr. III) next month at this same track.
-Keelerman
No comments:
Post a Comment