VA Derby-GII
7/16/2011 CNL Race #4 1 1/4m Turf Graded Stake Purse $600.000 For Three Year Olds
Those of us old enough to remember the old Avis car rental commercial, also recall the slogan: We are number two. We try harder. Bold Pretender likely does not watch TV nor if he did, would he be as old as we geezers that remember this ad. However, the sophomore gelding that was number two in the GIII Jefferson Cup last month, did try harder this weekend and came away the winner in the GII VA Derby.
Last month Bold Pretender followed Votes For Sale right to the wire for the place money. Saturday, he left his rival behind and came home driving to win by half-length over Diamond Cut, with Individual taking home the show money.
Votes For Sale drew the outside #8 post and broke sharply, looking to angle in before the first turn. However, jockey Julian Leparoux was unable to get in closer and the compact chestnut was kept four wide through the clubhouse turn. Jon Court aboard Diamond Cut rushed to the lead, but was even less fortunate by being forced out five wide.
Diamond Cut made the rail at last and led the way into the backstretch with Bold Pretender moving up to push the pace a half length behind. Soviet Flash, Estastisticos Munez and Individual stalked the pair two lengths behind, followed by Votes For Sale, Loookin Goood and Art For Success.
Midway through the backstretch, Bold Pretender pulled alongside of Diamond Cut and the pair began a head-bobbing duel for the lead. Meanwhile, Loookin Goood found himself blocked in traffic as he attempted to rally just before the turn.
Bold Pretender and Diamond Cut continued their pace duel as the field turned for home. Individual was two lengths back on the rail, with Soviet Flash and Estastisticos Munez just a half-length behind him. Art For Success was sent four wide to get past the traffic with Loookin Goood still blocked and frantically looking for racing room. Votes For Sale was trailing the field by three lengths after having gone wide in the first turn. The Jefferson Cup winner was not his usual self today and was well out of the race by now.
Down the stretch they came, the fans up and cheering as Bold Pretender and Diamond Cut kept up their duel, each pushing the other with neither willing to give. Individual was two lengths back in third, followed by Art For Success, Soviet Flash and Estastisticos Munez. The hard luck Loookin Goood found racing room at last but came up empty when clear as Votes For Sale was eased up behind him.
Just steps before the wire, Bold Pretender surged forward to win by a half-length over the very game Diamond Cut. Individual came in third, one quarter length in front of the late closing Art For Success.
Bold Pretender is a gelded sophomore son of Flaming Pretense out of the Johnny Cash mare, Laurel Honey. Barcelona Farms bred him in California. Bold Pretender was claimed last summer for $35.000 by Pan Farms. He won his first stakes shortly after switching silks. He placed behind Votes For Sale in the GII Jefferson Cup. His win today was his first graded victory and improves his record to 11-3-1-1 with $581.510 in earnings.
Here is the race recap:
Bold Pretender moved up to duel with the leader in the backstretch to win driving by a half-length. Diamond Cut was forced five wide in the first turn, angled in to the rail to lead, dueled with the winner throughout then came up short just before the wire. Individual stalked the pace throughout to finish third. Art For Success stalked early then closed late with a mild rally. Soviet Flash raced evenly throughout. Estastisticos Munez was in contention but never fired. Loookin Goood was trapped in traffic through the turn for home and into the stretch and then came up empty when clear. Votes For Sale broke on the outside, was rushed up early in the first turn and forced wide, then fell back and was eased up late.
Track: Firm
Time: :48 1:114 1:351 1:59
$2 Mutuel Prices:
$1 Exacta: 5 - 4 Paid 58.30
$1 Trifecta: 5 - 4 - 1 Paid 281.90
Scratched: None
