Daytona proves uncatchable

INGLEWOOD, Calif.-Daytona proved dangerous when he was allowed to lead throughout the Grade 2 Oak Tree Derby at Santa Anita last month. Jockey Mike Smith used the same tactics in Sundays $500,000 Hollywood Derby at Hollywood Park with a similar lethal effect.

Allowed to set a moderate pace, Daytona pulled clear of his rivals on the final turn and held off a late run from Medici Code to score a mild upset in the Grade 1 Hollywood Derby.

Daytona ($13.20) ran 1 1/4 miles on turf in 1:59.75. The Hollywood Derby was the longest race of his 10-race career, which includes four wins and earnings of $461,390.

He pounced on them on the turn and didnt let them get a jump on him, said winning trainer Dan Hendricks. Hes a nice, honest horse that gets a route.

Daytona beat a strong field that included the six-time stakes winner Nobiz Like Shobiz. Sent off as the even-money favorite, Nobiz Like Shobiz was as close as third on the final turn, but faded to finish eighth, 6 1/4 lengths behind Daytona.

At the half-mile pole, I didnt have a horse, said jockey Javier Castellano, who rode Nobiz Like Shobiz.

Daytona set early factions of 24.32 and 48.14 seconds, leading by as much as 1 1/2 lengths on the backstretch. Smith urged Daytona on the final turn and they led by 2 1/2 lengths in the stretch. The margin was down to a half-length at the wire.

I told him to be comfortable whether youre first or third, Hendricks said of his instructions to Smith.

Medici Code, the winner of the Del Mar Derby in September, finished three-quarters of a length in front of Bold Hawk, the winner of the Grade 3 Hawthorne Derby last month.

Daytona began his career in England where he won a maiden race on the all-weather circuit. A gelding, Daytona joined Hendrickss stable in the spring.

We thought he was a quality horse that could fit in some big races, Hendricks said. You buy these horses from Europe and hope to get lucky. This worked out about 10 fold.