Assinoboia: Bias can't stop Prime Time T.V.
WINNIPEG, Manitoba - Speed reigned supreme for the first six races of Monday's Manitoba Derby Day card. But when it came time for the eighth and final race of day, Prime Time T.V. ($8.10) rallied from last to take the $100,000 Manitoba Lotteries Derby.
After breaking from the outside in the 11-horse field, Prime Time T.V. was angled to the rail by jockey Travis Hightower. Prime Time T.V., a son of Deputy Minister, was at least 10 lengths back of pacesetters Arthurlooksgood and Resurgent for the first half-mile before he unleashed an eight-wide power move on the final turn en route to a 10 3/4-length victory.
Prime Time T.V. finished the 1 1/8 miles in 1:52.20, earning a Beyer Speed Figure of 95.
Race favorite Wayzata Bay rallied for second, with Stormy Business third.
Prime Time T.V. improved his lifetime mark to 9-4-2-0, with two of the victories coming in stakes races. The $60,000 winner's share increased his earnings to $125,749.
For owner Robert Mitchell and jockey Travis Hightower, the win was their first in the Manitoba Derby. Trainer Bert Blake won his second Manitoba Derby. Royal Frolic, whom Blake owned in partnership with William Mitchell, Robert Mitchell's father, won the Manitoba Derby in 1993.
Blake said Prime Time T.V.'s next start would likely be in the Harry Jeffrey Stakes here Aug. 28.
In other stakes action on Monday:
Alberta invader Kat Kool ($8.90) made a late surge to narrowly defeat Northern Affair in the one-mile Wheat City.
Trainer Jared Brown won the first stakes of his career with Aly's Flyer ($18.40) in the one-mile Jack Hardy for 3-year-old fillies.
Two-year-old filly Hey Hey Renee ($13.50) won the six-furlong Winnipeg Futurity.
On Sunday, 4-year-old filly Ericka's Lass ($8.70) prevailed in a three-horse photo over Ola Docura and Remiewaterbluz to take the 1 1/16-mile Winnipeg Sun.
On Saturday, 2-year-old Missing Fortune ($6) won the restricted Frank Arnason Sire Stakes.
Last Friday, Your Excellence ($4) won the restricted North Dakota Stallion Stakes for 3-year-olds.
* Heading into Friday's races Rohan Singh leads the local jockey standings with 46 wins, eight ahead of Larren Delorme. Ardell Sayler tops the local trainer standing with 34 wins, 12 ahead of Emile Corbel.