Formidable Man prevails in Del Mar Derby

DEL MAR, Calif. – Formidable Man is an undeniable horse for course at Del Mar.

The 3-year-old colt scored the biggest win of his career on Sunday by winning the Grade 2 Del Mar Derby under jockey Umberto Rispoli and improving his Del Mar record to 3 for 3.

Formidable Man ($4.40 favorite) defeated Stay Hot by a half-length in the 1 1/8-mile race; the remaining order of finish was Atitlan, Gold Foot, Sketchy and Guy Named Joe. Curlin’s Kaos scratched.

Michael McCarthy trains Formidable Man for William and Suzanne Warren. A $375,000 yearling, Formidable Man began his career one year ago at Del Mar by winning his debut in a maiden turf mile. This summer, he won the Oceanside Stakes on July 20 and improved his course record Sunday by winning the $300,500 Del Mar Derby.

Formidable Man raced two-wide in fourth position behind a walking pace, tipped three-wide into the lane to rally to the lead, and held off late-runner Stay Hot the length of the stretch. His winning time was 1:49.87.

Formidable Man, a son of McCarthy-trained City of Light and produced by graded stakes-winning turf miler Fanticola, has now won 4 of 9 starts and earned $457,425.

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