Hayes Strike in good order, pointing toward Iowa or Ohio Derby
GRAND PRAIRIE, Texas – Hayes Strike emerged from his Monday win in the $300,000 Texas Derby at Lone Star Park in good order and could make his next start in either the Iowa Derby or Ohio Derby, trainer Kenny McPeek said Wednesday.
McPeek said Hayes Strike is now settled in at Keeneland. The horse was a nose winner over Harlocap on Monday and earned a career-high Beyer Speed Figure of 90. Cristian Torres was aboard Hayes Strike.
“It was a really exciting finish,” McPeek said. “I thought Cristian did a wonderful job getting him there in time. He’s always been a horse that closed well.
"It was a big win.”
The $250,000 Iowa Derby at 1 1/16 miles is July 8 at Prairie Meadows. The Grade 3, $500,000 Ohio Derby at 1 1/8 miles is June 24 at Thistledown.
Hayes Strike races for his breeder, Dixiana Farms. He was winning his second stakes in his last three starts, as he accounted for the Private Terms in March at Laurel. In between the races, he was seventh to leading Belmont Stakes contender Tapit Trice in the Grade 1 Blue Grass at Keeneland.
Hayes Strike is a son of Connect and the multiple stakes-winning mare Plaid, who earned $568,217.
McPeek said plans for Rarified Flair, who was fifth in the Texas Derby, are to be determined. He was beaten 2 1/2 lengths and earned a Beyer of 87. Earlier this year, Rarified Flair won the Rushaway at Turfway Park.
“We’re going to regroup and figure out where he fits,” McPeek said. “He’s run well on turf, dirt, and synthetic, Right now, we’re open where we run him next. He ran good.”
Rarified Flair is a son of Honor Code.
The Texas Derby was one of six stakes making up the Lone Star Million Day card. The races were worth $1.2 million in total, and made for the richest card of the meet at Lone Star Park.
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