Manitoba Derby: Street Prancer nabs first stakes win

Street Prancer, a Steve Asmussen-trained invader from Indiana Downs, captured the 66th running of the $75,000 Manitoba Derby at Assiniboia Downs on Monday.

Storm Chance set moderate fractions in the nine-furlong route for 3-year-olds before drifting quite wide on the far turn. Street Prancer came inside to take control on the far turn and then opened up a clear lead en route to a 1 1/2-length score over the closing favorite Master Lightning. Storm Chance wound up third in the seven-horse field.

Jalon Samuel rode Street Prancer, who completed the distance in 1:54.80 and returned $8.90 to win.

“I had a good trip,” Samuel said. “After watching the replays of how he’s run, we decided what we were going to do, and we did just that. When I asked him, I saw he likes the left-hand stick, and when I put it there, he replied. When I switched it back again, he gave me more run. He ran his heart out.”

Street Prancer earned $45,900 in his stakes debut for owner Mike McCarty, who paid $360,000 for the son of Street Sense at a 2-year-olds in training sale at Keeneland in 2013.