Daneyko noses Way Beyond in Riley Allison Derby
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Daneyko edged Way Beyond by a nose to win the $100,000 Riley Allison Derby after a stretch-long battle in the Sunday feature at Sunland Park.
It was another 13 3/4 lengths back in third to Forty Seven.
The Riley Allison Derby was the local prep for the $500,000 Sunland Park Derby on Feb. 15. It was supported by three other stakes.
Daneyko ($11.60) trailed the field in the early stages of the Riley Allison as Truly Unbelievable led through an opening quarter in 23.59 seconds and a half-mile in 46.65 seconds, while under pressure from Way Beyond.
Way Beyond took over through six furlongs in 1:11.06 as Daneyko began to pick off rivals on the final turn, came four wide into the stretch, and hooked up with Way Beyond. The two went hoof to hoof through the lane, with Daneyko covering the distance on a fast track in 1:37.53.
Following the race there was a stewards’ inquiry looking at contact made by the first two finishers, but no change was made to the order of finish.
Daneyko was winning his first stakes race after just missing by a neck last out in the Lost in the Fog Juvenile at Turf Paradise.
Alfredo Juarez Jr. rode Daneyko for trainer Ed Kereluk.
Daneyko was moving back to two turns for the Riley Allison. He had won his maiden at the configuration in a turf race at Turf Paradise.
Daneyko is a son of Vekoma who races for his breeder, Roys Mansur. He is now 2 for 5 for earnings of $76,580.
Walter the Mason was scratched from the Riley Allison.
Double for Fincher
Trainer Todd Fincher had a stakes double on the card when Coffee Connection fought for a half-length win over Not a Lady in the $65,000 Borderplex and Aye Candy closed into a fast pace to gobble up the competition in the $65,000 Bold Ego.
Coffee Connection ($6) contested the pace through fractions of 22.68 seconds for the opening quarter and 45.20 for the half-mile before winning the 6 1/2-furlong race for 3-year-old fillies in 1:16.17.
The Borderplex is a steppingstone to the Sunland Park Oaks, which will be run Feb. 15.
Olaf Hernandez rode Coffee Connection, who is now 2 for 2 after winning her maiden in her career debut in November at Zia Park. She is a daughter of Nyquist who races for Brad King, Jim Cone, Lee Lewis and Randy Andrews. Coffee Connection is from the female family of champion sprinter Big Drama.
Aye Candy ($15.20) became the sixth stakes winner produced by the mare Rose’s Desert when she rallied into fractions of 21,74 seconds for the opening quarter and 44.33 for the half-mile to win the Bold Ego by three-quarters of a length. She covered the 5 1/2 furlongs for fillies and mares in 1:02.78.
Christian Ramos was aboard Aye Candy for her breeder, Peacock Family Racing Stables.
Rose’s Desert was a multiple stakes winner in New Mexico who as a broodmare has produced such notable runners as Senor Buscador, an earner of $12.9 million, and Runaway Ghost, a past winner of the Sunland Park Derby.
Aye Candy is by Candy Ride.
*** Augusta Melody ($11.40) was a half-length winner over Neiman in the $75,000 Fort Bliss. It was another neck back in third to Ryvit. The winner covered six furlongs on a fast track in 1:08.76. Orlando Mojica was aboard for trainer Robertino Diodoro. Augusta Melody is by Speightstown and races for Rick Wiest, Lana Wiest, Clayton Wiest and Todd Fitch.
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