Mongolian Wind holds off Mr. Unusual in Manitoba Derby

Mongolian Wind paid $20 for his narrow win over Mr. Unusual in the $60,000 Manitoba Derby on Monday at Assiniboia Downs.

Ridden by Wilmer Galviz, Mongolian Wind stalked Real Grace and Rollin Seven though a half-mile in 49.40 seconds. Making a three-wide move, he took the lead at the six-furlong mark in the 1 1/8-mile race and following a lengthy duel beginning on the stretch turn was able to hold off Mr. Unusual by a head.

Mr. Unusual, last early, made his move while going four wide and was game in defeat. It was 2 1/4 lengths back to Something Natural who was sent off as the even-money favorite in the seven-horse field. Something Natural stalked the early leaders, looked like a serious threat on the stretch turn, but flattened out in the drive.

The final time was 1:54.00.

Mongolian Wind was making just his third start and first since he won a $40,000 maiden claimer at 40-1 on June 28 at Los Alamitos.

Trained by Wade Eno, he races for Mongolian Stable (Ganbaatar Dagvadorj) and Andrew Stronach.

The gelded son of Mucho Macho Man was bred in Kentucky by Dagvadorj.