Bent On Bourbon impresses in Iowa Derby victory

ALTOONA, Iowa – Bent On Bourbon relished his first race around two turns in just his fifth lifetime start for an impressive three-length win in the Grade 3 Iowa Derby.

Tracking a solid pace set by the 7-5 favorite Hillbilly Royalty, Bent On Bourbon ($10.80) responded to jockey Javier Castellano's cue at the top of the stretch and quickly assumed command in the 10-horse field. Allied Air Raid stayed on to get second place, three-quarters of a length ahead of the track's top juvenile last season, Private Prospect.

Trained at Churchill Downs by Eddie Kenneally, Bent On Bourbon, an Arch colt, also was making his stakes debut in the 1 1/16-mile Iowa Derby. He covered the distance in 1:44.

Collecting $148,800 for his owners in Bourbon Lane Stable, Bent On Bourbon was not fully extended and bounded clear with aplomb.