Arapahoe Park
Fortified Effort faces five in Colorado Derby
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Coady Photography Fortified Effort drew clear to a 1 1/4-length victory in Saturday's Gene Fleming Breeders' Derby.
Fortified Effort romped in the Inaugural Stakes in May at Arapahoe Park, and he is returning to the track Sunday for the $30,000 Colorado Derby. The four-time stakes winner figures to go favored in a field of six for the 1 1/16-mile feature.
Fortified Effort last raced at Prairie Meadows, finishing fifth in the $65,000 Prairie Mile. One start prior, he rolled by 10 1/4 lengths in the $30,000 Inaugural, a six-furlong race that he won in 1:10 for a career-high Beyer Speed Figure of 81. Scott Stevens has the mount for trainer Kevin Eikleberry.
◗ Jockey Mike Smith’s visit to Ruidoso Downs last Sunday helped raise more than $25,000 for the Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund, according to the New Mexico track.
