Beaten only two lengths in the Grade III Affirmed Handicap in his last start and also two other place finishes at allowance level Nakamura Stable's Paisano Phil won the biggest race of his career to date. The only horse in the field to clock a 1:43 for a one mile and one sixteenth trip ran true to form in the New York Derby. Sent off as the a 7-1 outsider, Paisano Phil broke from the outside post and quickly tackled N Y Minute for the lead. N Y Minute would eventually assume the lead for most of the trip but Paisano Phil was never farther than a length off.

Wasted Days on the rail and Thirlling Star tried eagerly to go with the early leaders but settled off the pace for third and fourth respectively with Abha Na Sionainne lagging at the back. Half way through the race and the positions were unchanged.

With three furlongs to go, Paisano Phil tackled N Y Minute and they were head to head at the top of the stretch. N Y Minute fought relentlessly, but Paisano Phil was a little bit too much and dug deep and put his head in front and won by a half length in a time of 1:43:97.

Full of run and charging from about six lengths off the pace Abha Na Sionainne rallied and caught the Thirlling Star and Wasted Days and then it was a three horse race for third, fourth and fifth. Abha Na Sionainne snuck his head in at the wire in front of Wasted Days for the third money with Thirlling Star in between horses getting fifth.

The winner was bred in New York by owner/trainer Nakamura Stables by Kapai Kiwi out of the HRP-Miesques Son mare La Cortezana.