Macho Macho wore down odds-on favorite Hansen deep in the Mountaineer homestretch to win the $750,000 West Virginia Derby (gr. III) this afternoon by a half-length.
Ridden to victory by Corey Nakatani, Macho Macho was able to secure an absolutely perfect trip as the speedy Hansen found himself in a speed duel with longshot Hero of Order. The pair ran the opening quarter mile in a reasonable enough :24.33 before accelerating their second quarter in a blazing :23 flat to reach the half-mile in :47.33. They were four to five lengths clear of Macho Macho, who patiently waited in third while racing seven lengths clear of Called to Serve, with Bourbon Courage, Le Bernardin, Penn's Grant, Macho Bull, and Z Camelot content to trail the field.
Hansen and Hero of Order continued their duel through three-quarters of a mile in 1:11.23, meaning that they ran their third quarter in a stiff :23.90 seconds. Shortly thereafter, Hero of Order gave way, leaving Hansen as the victor of the speed duel. But Hansen would not prove to be the victor of the race, as he was soon confronted by Macho Macho, Bourbon Courage, and Called to Serve, all of which passed Hansen inside the final furlong en route to finishing in that order. The final time for nine furlongs was 1:49.98 seconds, with Macho Macho securing the victory by a half-length over Bourbon Courage, who was a similar margin ahead of Called to Serve. Hansen finished another 1 1/2 lengths back in fourth, while Hero of Order, Penn's Grant, Macho Bull, Z Camelot, and Le Bernardin trailed the field.
The winner is trained by Steve Asmussen and owned by Jerry Durant.
-Keelerman
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