COZZETTI WINS THE AMERICAN DERBY!

Cozzetti finally picked up his first graded stakes victory this afternoon at Arlington Park, rallying gamely through a nearly non-existent hole along the rail to win the $200,000 American Derby (gr. II) by a courageous head.

Ridden to victory by Shaun Bridgmohan, Cozzetti got off to an excellent start but quickly settled back into third along the rail as All Stormy set a slow pace of :24.74 and :50.56. Skyring was tracking him in second, while Daddy Nose Best was on the outside three-wide in fourth. Macho Bull and Southern Parkway were next, while Quick Wit and The Pizza Man were the early trailers.

The slow pace continued through three-quarters of a mile in 1:15.74, after which the runners fairly flew home. All Stormy continued to show the way around the far turn and into the homestretch, but Daddy Nose Best was looming a serious threat on the far outside, and Skyring was still in contention as well. But down along the rail raced Cozzetti, desperately searching for racing room. First, Brighmohan tried to split horses, but got shut off. He then tried to get through on the fence, and got shut off. Then he tried again for the rail, and at last, his mount was able to secure racing room. Then, with a burst of acceleration, Cozzetti courageously rallied past All Stormy to secure a head victory, stopping the clock for 1 3/16th miles in 1:57.42.

All Stormy held on to second by a neck over Skyring, while Daddy Nose Best finished another half-length behind in fourth. Quick Wit, The Pizza Man, Southern Parkway, and Macho Bull completed the order of finish. Silver Max and Sachem Spirit scratched.

The winner is owned by the Albaugh Family Stable and trained by Dale Romans.
-Keelerman

American Derby Entries and Post Positions

Here are the entries and post positions for the $200,000 American Derby (gr. II), to be run on Saturday at Arlington Park. A major prep for the Secretariat Stakes (gr. I) held here next month, the 1 3/16th miles American Derby has drawn some of the best three-year-old turf runners in the country, including two-time graded stakes winner Silver Max, who has won his last five starts in impressive fashion. Other prominent entrants include Sunland Derby (gr. III) winner Daddy Nose Best, James W. Murphy Stakes winner Skyring, and the lightly-raced but promising The Pizza Man.

1 All Stormy
2 Cozzetti
3 Macho Bull
4 Skyring
5 Daddy Nose Best
6 Silver Max
7 Quick Wit
8 Southern Parkway
9 The Pizza Man
10 Sachem Spirit

-Keelerman

WORKIN FOR HOPS BLOWS THEM AWAY IN THE AMERICAN DERBY!

3-2 favorite Workin for Hops just keeps getting better. He proved today that he is a major turf star when he won the American Derby by daylight.

The son of City Zip set the pace and was never really challenged, with his rider looking back to see if anyone was coming. No one was.

The final time was 1:55.47. Mister Marti Gras flew home to grab second, with Dean's Kitten finishing third. Gleam of Hope came home fourth after briefly gaining second place.

More updates to come!

-Keelerman

AMERICAN DERBY ANALYSIS ---- A Race to Watch

The American Derby, for years a respected three year old race, is a race that you won't want to miss this year. Nine evenly matched three year olds are set to go to post and I honestly can't seperate them.

The current betting favorite is Workin for Hops, who comes into the race off of a strong second to Paddy O'Prado in the Colonial Turf Cup Stakes. He should be able to handle the distance, although he may have just a bit of stamina limitations, seeing that his sire is City Zip. But he will make his presence felt and should finish in the top three.

The current second choice is Asphalt. The War Chant colt has yet to win a stakes race but has more than proven himself against stakes horses, most recently finishing third to Gleam of Hope and Phychic Income in the grade III Jefforson Cup Stakes. He also finished second to Doubles Partner in the grade II American Turf Stakes, so he could very well come through with a win today.

The third choice is Dean's Kitten, who won the Lane's End Stakes on the synthetic track at Turfway Park before poor showings in the Kentucky Derby and the Colonial Turf Cup Stakes. But he looks ready to get back on track today.

Gleam of Hope is the fourth choice. The colt won the Jefferson Cup Stakes in his last start and has been running quite well lately, and I think that he can win this.

Marcello, Mint Chip, and Mister Marti Gras could also threaten for a piece of the money. Formulaforsuccess and Dream Nettie complete the field.

So here are my picks. . .

1 Workin for Hops
2 Gleam of Hope
3 Mister Marti Gras
4 Dean's Kitten
5 Asphalt
6 Formulaforsuccess
7 Mint Chip
8 Marcello
9 Dream Nettie

They're in the gate!

-Keelerman