The lightly raced colt Govenor Charlie proved once again that sheer talent can overcome inexperience when he romped to a five-length triumph in the $800,000 Sunland Derby (gr. III) at Sunland Park, running nine furlongs in 1:47.54 seconds to establish a new track record.
Making only the third start of his career, Govenor Charlie got away to a good start under jockey Martin Garcia and soon settled into third place on the outside, tracking Saint Prado and Abraham through quick fractions of :22.74 and :46.22 seconds. Just Win Baby and Show Some Magic were racing as a pair in fourth, about two lengths off the lead, followed by Stormdriver, Dry Summer, Mudflats, and Shakin It Up.
Following three-quarters of a mile in 1:09.96, Govenor Charlie moved up to take the lead, and approaching the homestretch, he began to open up on his pursuers. Show Some Magic turned in a nice rally to briefly challenge, but Govenor Charlie easily turned him back, extending his advantage throughout the final furlong to reach the wire well in front.
Show Some Magic finished second by 3 1/4 lengths over Abraham, while Shakin It Up rallied mildly for fourth. Stormdriver, Mudflats, Saint Prado, Dry Summer, and Just Win Baby completed the order of finish.
The winner is trained by Bob Baffert and owned by Mike Pegram. A son of Midnight Lute out of the Storm Cat mare Silverbulletway, Govenor Charlie has now compiled a record of two wins and a second from three starts, with earnings of $444,800.
-Keelerman
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