King Ottoman, a maiden, wins Texas Derby
GRAND PRAIRIE, Texas - King Ottoman won his maiden in the $300,000 Texas Derby on Monday, when he edged stablemate Presidential by a head at Lone Star Park. Both horses are trained by Steve Asmussen.
The Texas Derby was one of six stakes on Lone Star Million Day. Purses for the races totaled $1.2 million. It was the richest card of the meet.
King Ottoman ($23,60) settled along the rail in fourth, sitting off fractions of 24.22 seconds for the opening quarter, 48.12 for the half-mile, and 1:11.86 for six furlongs. He came into the stretch four wide and unleashed a steady run to win the 1 1/16-mile race on a fast track in 1:45.29.
“He broke great and we fell into a good spot,” winning rider Stewart Elliott said in a post-race interview. “He was doing it nice and easy. I had horse. I felt good about things the whole way. Turning for home, when I stepped him out and he got clear, he really went on and did what he needed to do.”
King Ottoman was making his fourth career start. The son of Curlin races for his breeder, Three Chimneys Farm. His dam, Shook Up, is a daughter of Tapit who ran second in the Kentucky Oaks.
Presidential came into the Texas Derby off a win in a first-level allowance at Oaklawn.
“I’m extremely proud of both the colts,” Asmussen said. “They showed up and ran their race today.
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“I think Presidential, his breakthrough win in the [allowance] at Oaklawn last time got him to a new level. King Ottoman had always worked with the best horses we had and showed that kind of talent. We were flabbergasted he got beat the couple of times that we did, but having faith, staying the course, proved right.”
Asmussen said plans are to be determined for King Ottoman. The horse earned $171,684 for the win Monday.