Deviant breaks through in El Joven Stakes
Deviant won his maiden in the $75,000 El Joven for 2-year-olds on Wednesday night at Retama Park, rolling to a 7 ¾-length win over Valiant Defender. It was another half-length back in third to You Should Talk.
The El Joven shared a card with the $75,000 La Senorita for 2-year-old fillies, won by Tizsfranderella. The races were at a mile on turf. They are the signature stakes of the meet at Retama.
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Deviant ($5.40) had just a few horses beat early in the El Joven as You Should Talk took the field through fractions of 23.85 seconds for the opening quarter, 48.96 for the half-mile and 1:13.14 for six furlongs. Deviant advanced and moved to the fore in the stretch. He covered the distance on firm ground in 1:36.59.
Lane Luzzi was aboard for trainer Danny Pish.
Deviant came into the race off third- or fourth-place finishes in three maiden special weight sprint starts at Churchill Downs. He was making both his two-turn and turf debut in the El Joven.
Deviant is a son of Daredevil who was bred in Ontario, Canada, by Robert G. Harvey. He races for Red Lane Thoroughbreds and now has earnings of $58,160. He earned $45,000 on Wednesday.
Tizsfranderella ($16.80) withstood a claim of foul to remain perfect in two career starts in the La Senorita. She won a maiden special weight at Evangeline Downs in her debut.
Tizsfranderella settled off the pace set by Cedar Hall, who took the field through an opening quarter in 22.33 seconds, a half-mile in 46.79, and six furlongs in 1:11.41. Tizsfranderella picked off rivals, accelerated through the final eighth of a mile, and won by 2 ½ lengths, covering the distance on firm ground in 1:36.22.
Tommy Pompell was aboard Tizsfranderella for owner and trainer Justin Jeansonne.
Cedar Hall finished second, while it was another 3 ¼ lengths back in third to Viv. Following the race, the rider of Viv lodged an objection against the winner concerning interference around the five-sixteenths pole, but the stewards made no change in the order of finish.
Tizsfranderella is a daughter of Tizway who was bred in Kentucky by Brandywine Farm. Tizsfranderella, who is from the female family of champion Favorite Trick, now has earnings of $57,900.