Bay Meadows: Thirsty Guy's wins Earlene McCabe Derby

SAN MATEO, Calif. - Thirsty Guy's ($12) sat behind quick early splits and finished strongly to win the $70,400 Earlene McCabe Derby at Bay Meadows on Sunday.

While Wind Water and Left 'Em Burning battled through 21.61 and 44.00 fractions, Thirsty Guy's was five lengths behind them in third. He moved up as the field turned from home and was second at the eighth pole as Left 'Em Burning began to fade.

He put together a strong kick and pulled away to a three-length victory, winning the six-furlong race in 1:09.94. Funny Flyer caught the tiring favorite Wind Water, beating him by 1+ (one one-half) lengths for second.

"I didn't want the horse to be caught in speed duel," winning trainer Phil Oviedo said. "Today I liked the fact he could lay behind the leaders because I knew he'd come running."

Thirsty Guy's, who won the Tacoma Handicap at Emerald Downs on June 26, earned $38,900 to lift his lifetime earnings to $121,766 with five wins in 12 starts.