Arapahoe: Magical Twist goes two turns in CTBA Derby

Magical Twist will have several key factors working in his favor Saturday when he tries two turns for the first time in the $30,000 Colorado Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association Derby at Arapahoe Park. He is one of 11 horses in the 1 1/16-mile race restricted to 3-year-olds bred in Colorado.

Magical Twist enters the CTBA Derby off a maiden special weight win over statebreds June 1. He won the 5 1/2-furlong race at Arapahoe on the front end, one start after finishing second in his career debut at Prairie Meadows in May.

“I think two turns will fit him just great,” said Molly Pearson, who trains Magical Twist for Eli Diamant. “He’s a big horse, and he’s got a really nice, big stride on him. His sire, Oliver’s Twist, certainly could get the distance, and this colt covers a lot of ground.”

Oliver’s Twist won two stakes at 1 1/8 miles, including the Grade 3 Federico Tesio at Pimlico in 1995.

As for Magical Twist, he also owns the field’s best career Beyer Speed Figure, a 61, for his maiden score that came by 2 1/4 lengths.

“When he broke his maiden, he kind of went right up to the front, another horse engaged him all the way around, and what was impressive was down the lane, he still had a nice kick, which is what you like to see,” Pearson said. “You like to see horses finish.”

Vernon Scantling has the mount for Pearson, who is winning with 24 percent of her starters at Arapahoe.