Lone Star Derby: First-time turf Thirtyfirststreet gets job done by a neck

GRAND PRAIRIE, Texas - Thirtyfirststreet won his turf debut and going around two turns for the first time in his career on Monday, when he outgamed Close Ally approaching the wire in the $200,000 Lone Star Derby.

The race was one of six stakes worth a collective $1 million on Lone Star Park’s annual Million Day. The card is the richest program of Thoroughbred racing in Texas.

Thirtyfirststreet ($45.80) tracked pacesetter Aces N Kings through a half-mile in 49.40 seconds, overtook that one, and then had more when Close Ally came to him to hold for a neck win. Thirtyfirststreet covered 1 1/16 miles on a track rated firm in 1:42.44.

“I just bided my time and waited and when I asked him to go he just went on,” said Chris Landeros, who rode the winner for trainer Doug O’Neill. “Then he kind of waited on that horse.

“The exciting part about it is that we haven’t seen his best yet.”

Close Ally held second in the first turf running of the Lone Star Derby, finishing 2 ¾ lengths clear of third-place finisher Derby Kitten.

Thirtyfirststreet races for the partnership of Kevin Bogart, Neil Haymes and Mark Gorman.

“We always felt this horse had talent and that one day it was going to kick in and it did, on Lone Star Derby Day,” said Gorman, who co-bred the horse with O’Neill.

Thirtyfirststreet is a son of Good Journey, a Grade 1 winner on turf. He came into the Lone Star Derby off a third-place finish in the $150,000 Snow Chief for statebreds at Hollywood Park.

Dean’s Kitten takes Dallas Turf Cup

Dean’s Kitten was in his comfort zone on the front end in the $150,000 Dallas Turf Cup, and rode the rail to 1 1/2-length  win.

“I just left him there, and he finished up nicely,” said Julien Leparoux, who was aboard Dean’s Kitten for trainer Mike Maker. “It was very, very good.”

Expansion closed fast for second, after being forced to steady on the final turn when attempting to advance up the rail.

Dean’s Kitten ($5.40) broke well and led the field through fractions of 24.00 seconds,, 47.40, and 1:10.60. He then held a charging Expansion at bay to cover 1 1/16 miles  in 1:40.90.

“He did today what his daddy couldn’t do down here,” said owner Ken Ramsey, referring the runner-up finish of Kitten’s Joy in the 2004 Breeders’ Cup Turf run at Lone Star. 

* Irish Gypsy ($3.40) became a stakes winner in the $75,000 Valid Expectations, when she forged past stubborn pacesetter Cosmo Girl for a head win in the six- furlong race for fillies and mares. It was another four lengths back in third to Tin Top Cat.

Irish Gypsy covered the distance in 1:10.19. Martin Garcia was aboard for trainer Bob Baffert, who won the Valid Expectations a year ago with Mother Ruth. Irish Gypsy races for Mike Pegram and Hill ‘n’ Dale Equine Holdings.

* Grandacious ($3.40) backed up her 12-length allowance win last month at Lone Star with a 1 1/4-length win over Aide in the $75,000 Cinemine. The race was marred by the mid-stretch breakdown of Icelain Diva, who had to be euthanized. Her rider, Lindey Wade, walked away from the incident and was taken to the ontrack first aid facilities for examination, said the stewards at Lone Star.

Grandacious covered the seven furlongs for 3-year-old fillies in 1:23.40. Cliff Berry was aboard for Carl Moore and trainer Bret Calhoun.