Mr Money Bags cruises in Texas Stallion Stakes Stymie division

GRAND PRAIRIE, Texas – Mr Money Bags punched his ticket to the Super Derby on Saturday, when he romped by more than 11 lengths in the $65,000 Stymie division of the Texas Stallion Stakes at Lone Star Park.

The Grade 3, $300,000 Super Derby will be run Sept. 7 at Louisiana Downs.

Mr Money Bags, who was winning the third stakes race of his career, is based at Louisiana Downs. Trainer Mike Neatherlin said Saturday that the horse he trains for Roy Cobb would get a few weeks off at his farm in Texas then return to Louisiana.

“We’re going to the Super Derby,” Neatherlin said.

Mr Money Bags ($2.80) set a controlled pace in the Texas Stallion Stakes, taking the field through an opening quarter in 24.30 seconds, a half-mile in 47.86, and six furlongs in 1:11.96. He moved clear of his rivals through the stretch, going on to win by 11 1/2 lengths over Gold Buyer. It was another 1 1/4 lengths back to Moro Charlie in third.

Ernesto Valdez-Jiminez was aboard the winner, who covered the mile on a fast track in 1:36.56.

“It doesn’t matter if you go to the front or sit off of it, he’s still going to relax,” Neatherlin said of Mr Money Bags. “On the backside, he was just cruising.”

Neatherlin said in addition to the finish from Mr Money Bags he also liked the horse's gallop-out. Mr Money Bags was winning at two turns for the first time Saturday.

“He’s just a nice horse and we’ve got hopes for him,” Neatherlin said after the race. “We’re thinking Super Derby now.”

Mr Money Bags has won 5 of 7 starts for earnings of $160,300. He is a son of Silver City and he was bred in Texas by Cobb.