Bonus Points runs down favored Alex Again in Parx Derby
Bonus Points, getting major class relief after clashing with Kentucky Derby-bound colts Irish War Cry in the Grade 2 Wood Memorial and J Boys Echo in the Grade 3 Withers, snapped a five-race losing streak in Saturday’s $100,500 Parx Derby at Parx Racing in suburban Philadelphia.
Last in a field of seven 3-year-olds after the opening quarter-mile of the mile-and-70-yard race after getting bumped and carried wide around the first turn, Bonus Points was fourth after the first six furlongs went in 1:12. Bonus Points rallied strongest of all in the stretch under John Bisono to overtake even-money favorite Alex Again inside the eighth pole and won by 1 3/4 lengths. Alex Again, making his two-turn debut, had to settle for second after an eventful trip. He was bumped repeatedly by Curtis going around the first turn and then lugged in at the top of the stretch before giving way grudgingly. Upper Room, coming off a second-place finish in a first-level allowance at Keeneland, finished third, 1 3/4 lengths behind the runner-up. The winning time was 1:43.42.
A son of Majestic Warrior owned by Three Diamonds Farm and trained by Todd Pletcher, Bonus Points paid a generous $10.40 after he was listed as the 8-5 morning-line favorite. His best finish in three prior starts at 3 was a distant second in the Grade 3 Jerome on Jan. 2.
Overall, Bonus Points is 2 for 9 with earnings of $259,150.