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Pace Is the Answer to LA Derby
By
COZMAN
Mar 28, 2011,
8:58:23 AM
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3/26/2011 FG Post Time 6:00EDT
RACE 14 FG LA Derby (GII)
$1,000.000 3yo 1 1/8m Dirt
The track bias at the FG must have been set to high... anything that got near the lead was off to the races, and so was the story in the 2011 LA Derby (GII). Mai Mia Bambina broke alertly, used tactical speed to get the lead, then hung on for dear life on a day where closers had next to no chance. Alien Drive pressed the pace and was second, with Donative, another known for his front running style, third.
The field of eight were away with Watch 4 The Sailor away quickly, Chaotic Terror from the far outside, then the trio of Donative, Quest For Speed and Silver Mile. Alien Drive was next, then Soldier Of Liberty and Mai Mia Bambina.
Into the clubhouse turn, six and a half furlongs to run, and Watch 4 The Sailor continued to show the way by a neck. Chaotic Terror pressing that one, Alien Drive caught four wide, and Silver Mile along the rail. Donative and Quest For Speed were between horses, Mai Mia Bambina gathered up after a poor start and Solidier Of Liberty was at the tail of the field.
Moving down the backside, four and a half furlongs to run, and Watch 4 The Sailor was now joined by Mai Mia Bambina. Alien Drive and Chaotic Terror between that pair, then a gap of a length and a half to Silber Mile. Donative was a neck off of that one, Soldier Of Liberty now four wide and Quest For Speed was last, three lengths from the leader.
Swing around the turn and into the lane, just a quarter mile left to run and if the previous thirteen races were any indication, this one was over. Mai Mia Bamina had a two length lead, and with nothing coming from off of the pace on this surface, she was in the cat-bird's seat. Alien Drive was asked to go, Soldier Of Liberty swinging five wide. Donative was just inside of that one, Chaotic Terror and Watch 4 The Sailor headed in the wrong direction, Silver Mile down the center of the track and Quest For Speed was wishing for just that.
Inside the final 150-yards and to the finish, Mai Mia Bambina was shortening stride as Alien Drive cut into the lead, but the wire saved the filly and she got the win by a neck. Alien Drive was a hard charging second, which may be a good sign for his KYD aspirations, then three lengths back to Donative in third, who nosed out Soldier Of Liberty. Silver Mile was fifth, Chaotic Terror, Watch 4 The Sailor and Quest For Speed closed out the field.
Mai Mia Bambina is a 3yo filly with six wins, and was claimed for $40.000 in her first start.
$2 Mutuel Prices:
Track: Fast Time: :481 1:12 1:362 1:491
$1 Exacta: 5 - 7 Paid 16.60 $1 Trifecta: 5 - 7 - 4 Paid 44.50
Scratched: None
RECAP Mai Mia Bambina broke a bit slowly, raced up to take over on the backside, clear lead into the lane, just hung on. Alien Drive sat just off of the early pace, full of run late, just missed in a valiant effort. Donative wrestled back, some late foot. Soldier Of Liberty lagged back, encountered traffic, wide into the lane, rough trip. Silver Mile raced evenly throughout. Chaotic Terror flashed speed, done early. Watch 4 The Sailor broker alertly, stopped abruptly. Quest For Speed was outrun.
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