Academic beats boys in Canadian Derby, gives Rycroft three stakes on card

EDMONTON, Alberta –Trainer Tim Rycroft had a day he will never forget, winning three of the four stakes at Northlands Park, including the Grade 3, $200,000 Grade 3 Canadian Derby with the 3-year-old filly Academic. Academic paid $9 as the second choice behind Blue Dancer.

“Obviously this is the best day of my career, not only for me but also my family,” said Rycroft.

Academic, who won the $500,000 Woodbine Oaks, received a perfect ride by Justin Stein. Stein let her sit just off Blue Dancer, who set quick interior fractions of 47.66 seconds and 1:11.66 in the 1 3/8 mile race that drew 12 3-year-olds. He moved her into serious contention on the fourth and final turn where she took complete control of the race. She held a three-length lead heading into the stretch and drew off to win by eight comfortable lengths. Witt Six came from a stalking position to finish second. The longshot Cowboys Don’t Cry rallied from midpack to round out the $1,498.90 triactor.

“She relaxed beautifully for me,” said Stein. “She’s been an improving horse all along, and just like in her works, when I turned her loose, she exploded.”

“That was impressive,” said Rycroft. “I thought when Blue Dancer started to get away from her, she was in trouble. It was a great ride by Justin, though. He never panicked and timed his move perfectly.”

Academic was the first filly to win the Canadian Derby since Raylene in 2003. Her final time of 2:18.49 was the quickest since Fancy As won the only graded race in Alberta in 2001.

She is owned by Bear Stables Ltd. and Riversedge Racing Stables Ltd.

** Rycroft and Assiniboia Downs-based jockey Dane Nelson teamed up to win the Sun Sprint Championship for 3-year-olds and up and the Sonoma for 3-year-old fillies.

Nelson brought Clear the Runway from last to edge last year’s Sun Sprint winner Tiny Giant by a half-length in the 6 1/2-furlong Sun Sprint. He paid a generous $39.50.

Clear the Runway saved a lot of ground early and rallied along the rail in the stretch while Tiny Giant made his late move circling horses on the stretch turn. Brackendale finished third after stalking the hotly contested pace.

The final time was 1:18.41.

** Hero’s Amor paid $21.40 for her 5 1/4-length win in the $50,000 Sonoma for 3-year-old fillies.

She hooked up with Eustacia early, and the pair raced as a team before Hero’s Amor asserted herself in the stretch. Eustacia held on to finish a clear second over Some Gave All, who rallied from midpack in the eight-horse field. The 2-1 favorite Star Lady was sitting just off the leaders in a perfect position but came up empty.

“When Dane won the first race for me, I asked him if he was going to ride here next year,” said Rycroft. “After the second win, I insisted he does.”

Nelson said he was planning to ride at Northlands this year after Assiniboia Downs was finished Sept. 7.

Hero’s Amor posted a final winning time of 1:47.10.

She is owned by Elevated Bloodstock Inc. and Roxan Cho.

** With leading rider Rico Walcott aboard, For Cash led just about every step of the way in the Westerner Handicap for 3-year-olds and up. He paid $6.40 as the second choice behind Killin Me Smalls, who forced the pace before tiring to finish third. Wild Legend rallied to finish second but never was a real threat to the winner.

For Cash was under pressure right from the start, but he was allowed to set moderate fractions of 24.02 and 47.52 for a half-mile in the 1 1/16-race. Killin Me Smiles actually got his head in front at the half-mile call. For Cash started to draw clear on the final turn, took a three-length lead into the stretch, and easily held off Wild Legend while posting a final winning margin of four lengths.

Trainer Dale Greenwood said it wasn’t necessarily the plan to put For Cash on the lead.

“I just left it up to Rico,” said Greenwood. “He’s a pretty sharp rider around here, and For Cash is doing very well right now. “

The final time was 1:43.97.

The all-sources handle of $1,344,537 was up from last year when $1,257,544 was wagered.