Clovisconnection takes early lead, keeps it in Robert Dupret Derby

The three-race winning streak Clovisconnection has compiled in Washington State and on the California fairs this summer is only a foreshadowing of what the gelding can accomplish later, to the mind of trainer Blaine Wright.

“He will be a super, super route horse,” Wright said late Saturday afternoon after Clovisconnection won the $76,350 Robert Dupret Derby at 1 1/16 miles on turf at the Sonoma County Fair in Santa Rosa, Calif.

“He’s a great sprinter, but he’ll be a route horse.”

Clovisconnection led throughout the Dupret Derby for his sixth win in nine starts for owners and breeders William and Judy Hedrick. The Dupret Derby was the longest race of Clovisconnection’s career and his first start around two turns.

:: Bet with the Best! Get Free DRF PPs and Cashback when you wager. Join DRF Bets.

Clovisconnection was fifth in the Gold Rush Stakes at a mile on the synthetic track at Golden Gate Fields last December in his final start at 2, but a much brighter second in the Silky Sullivan Stakes for California-breds at a mile on turf at Golden Gate Fields on April 30.

In the Dupret Derby, jockey William Antongeorgi had Clovisconnection in a forward position a few strides from the gate from the outside post in a field of eight. Clovisconnection set a solid pace of 23.51 seconds for the opening quarter-mile and 47.80 for a half-mile, leading by at least a half-length.

Clovisconnection extended his advantage to a length on the turn.

“I thought the way he kicked at the three-eighths pole, they’d have to come and get him,” Wright said. “The whole deal was whether he could handle the distance.”

Sent off favored, Clovisconnection ($5.40) won by 1 ¼ lengths over 9-2 Cousin Richie, finishing in 1:42.71. Clovisconnection earned a Beyer Speed Figure of 80.

Cousin Richie finished three-quarters of a length in front of 27-1 Trinidad. Druidic finished fourth, followed by Phosphorescence, Sea Dog, Rodrigoknows and Happy Does.

Bob’s Blue Moon, the winner of two sprints in recent months, was scratched early Saturday. His absence affected the race since Bob’s Blue Moon was expected to show speed and could have challenged Clovisconnection.

Clovisconnection, by Vronsky, has earned $206,380. The current streak of wins includes two $50,000 stakes for 3-year-old sprinters at Emerald Downs – the Auburn Stakes at six furlongs on June 18 and the Irish Day Stakes at 6 1/2 furlongs on July 16.

:: Want to learn more about handicapping and wagering? Check out DRF's Handicapping 101 and Wagering 101 pages.