Another derby for Delightful Kiss
ALTOONA, Iowa - Despite breaking from the far outside post in an 11-horse field, Delightful Kiss used a powerful closing kick to win the $250,000 Iowa Derby on Friday's opening night of the Iowa Festival of Racing at Prairie Meadows. Flashstorm, a 59-1 longshot, finished second, 1 1/4 lengths back, while 14-1 Going Ballistic rallied for third.
Tenth after a half in 46.52 seconds, Delightful Kiss unleashed a powerful run on the outside. The son of Kissin Kris ran by Flashstorm at about the eighth pole and pulled away under jockey Jeffrey Sanchez.
In his previous start, Delightful Kiss scored an upset win in the Grade 2 Ohio Derby.
"This horse gets better with every race," said trainer Pete Anderson. "There's no telling how good he's going to get."
Delightful Kiss paid $12.80 to win. The trifecta with Flashstorm and going Ballistic returned $4,341.
Delightful Kiss is owned by Hobeau Farm, and is the only horse currently trained by the 75-year-old Anderson. He said after the race that the Grade 3 West Virginia Derby or possibly the Grade 1 Haskell Invitational might be next for Delightful Kiss. With the $150,000 winner's share, Delightful Kiss has now won $476,937.
Iowa Oaks: Marietta runs big
Marietta ($8.60) had just a maiden win in seven starts before the Grade 3, $200,000 Iowa Oaks, but she ran the race of her life to pull away from 3-5 favorite High Again down the stretch. Humble Janet, a $30,000 claim three races back who was sent off Friday at 25-1, closed stoutly to get second with High Again fading to third.
Trained by Eoin Harty and ridden by Rafael Bejarano, Marietta looks to have a bright future.
Saylorville: One for the locals
Local favorite Miss Macy Sue ($3.20) got the festival off to a quick start when she captured the $100,000 Saylorville Stakes in 1:08.66, tying the stakes record for six furlongs. Ready to Please finished second, while Country Diva ran third in the field of six.
Larry Sterling Jr. was named aboard Miss Macy Sue after regular rider Eddie Razo Jr. had travel problems out of Chicago.
Miss Macy Sue has now won four stakes in a row in 2007.