Mr. Misunderstood wins Super Derby, continues love affair with turf

Mr. Misunderstood remained unbeaten on turf Saturday when he won his fifth race on that surface in the $200,000 Super Derby at Louisiana Downs.

The 38th running of the stakes was its first on the grass. Mr. Misunderstood darted home by three lengths over Phat Man, while it was another two lengths back to Sonneteer in third.

The Super Derby was the richest race of the meet and anchored a card of seven stakes worth a total of $540,000. Brad Cox, who trains Mr. Misunderstood, won two other stakes on the day: the $60,000 River Cities with Quinta Verde and the $60,000 Happy Ticket with Lady O’Toole.

Mr. Misunderstood ($3.40) broke last of all but recovered and moved into a tracking position into the first turn of the 1 1/16-mile race as Phat Man set fractions of 25.32 seconds for the opening quarter, 50.66 for the half-mile, and 1:14.57 for six furlongs. Mr. Misunderstood advanced three wide on the final turn, overtook Phat Man and Sonneteer in the stretch, and went on to cover the distance on firm ground in 1:42.91.

Following the race there was a claim of foul against Phat Man by the rider of Sonneteer, but stewards made no change to the order of finish. Fast Talkin Man was pulled up on the second turn and, due to injuries, was later euthanized, according to officials with Louisiana Downs.

Chris Rosier was aboard Mr. Misunderstood, who won his second straight stakes race behind the Prelude at Louisiana Downs. The Prelude was the horse’s first start since running seventh in the Illinois Derby in April and for his effort Mr. Misunderstood earned a fees-paid berth into the Super Derby.

“He was training great coming into this race,” Cox said. “Last time we thought he might need the race, even though he won. We thought he kind of needed the race as a tightner coming off the layoff. He ran a big race today. I’m very proud of his effort.”

Cox said Rosier rode a smart race in recognizing the slow pace up front and putting his horse into contention early Saturday. Mr. Misunderstood had rallied from farther back in the Prelude. The win was the first Super Derby for Cox, as well as Rosier.

“I have watched the Super Derby since I was a kid, so winning this, even though it is a turf stakes for the first time, means the world to me,” Rosier told officials with Louisiana Downs. “It's still the Super Derby. Crossing the finish line was just sheer love and passion.”

Mr. Misunderstood races for Staton Flurry. Cox said the owner selected the Prelude and Super Derby as targets for the horse following the Illinois Derby. Going forward, Cox said, Mr. Misunderstood would ship back to Churchill Downs and come under consideration for turf stakes in Kentucky.

“He’s probably going to stay on the grass, being undefeated on it,” Cox said.

Mr. Misunderstood, who is a son of Archarcharch, earned $120,000 for his win in the Super Derby. He has now won six of 10 career starts, for earnings of $243,794. Mr. Misunderstood was bred in Kentucky by Athens Woods.