Hayes Strike makes big rally to win Texas Derby
GRAND PRAIRIE, Texas – Hayes Strike caught Harlocap on the wire to win the $300,000 Texas Derby by a nose Monday at Lone Star Park.
“That was fun,” said winning trainer Kenny McPeek.
The Texas Derby was one of six stakes making up the annual Lone Star Million Day. The races were worth a total of $1.2 million. The card was not simulcast to domestic sites other than tracks in Texas due to an ongoing impasse between the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority and the Texas Racing Commission.
Lone Star drew a large ontrack crowd, with temperatures pushing 90 degrees. Those in attendance were treated to live music, family activities that included pony rides – and exciting finishes on the racetrack.
Hayes Strike ($16.40) had one horse beat early as Ghost Hero set fractions of 23.96 seconds for the opening quarter, 49.08 for the half-mile, and 1:13.75 for six furlongs, while pushed along by Eyeing Clover. Hayes Strike advanced along the rail, was angled out in the stretch under Cristian Torres, and closed with a vengeance to cover the 1 1/16 miles on a fast track in 1:45.32.
“I couldn’t call the photo,” McPeek said. “I think Cristian did a great job getting his head down, and timing. We were like, ‘C’mon, get there!’ ”
Eyeing Clover finished third, a neck behind Harlocap. It was another half-length back in fourth to Ghost Hero.
McPeek trains Hayes Strike for the horse’s breeder, Dixiana Farms. Hayes Strike is a son of Connect.
“I trained his half-brother Senior Investment,” McPeek said. “He had a similar running style. They can run all day, need a little pace to get there. He won the Lexington in a similar running style and was third in the Preakness.
“[Hayes Strike] is a big, handsome colt. He’s got a lot of size and length to him.”
McPeek said plans are to be determined for Hayes Strike.
“We’ll relish the win,” he said. “He’ll come back to Churchill Downs.”
The win from Hayes Strike flattered Belmont Stakes candidate Tapit Trice. Hayes Strike came into the Texas Derby off a seventh-place finish to Tapit Trice in the Grade 1 Blue Grass in April at Keeneland. Prior to the Blue Grass, Hayes Strike won the Private Terms at Laurel.
Torres was winning his second straight stakes on the card in the Texas Derby. One race prior, he captured the $100,000 Memorial Day Sprint aboard Adaline Julia. Torres returned later on the card to win a third stakes, taking the Grade 3, $400,000 Steve Sexton Mile aboard Frosted Grace.