Prince Abu Dhabi goes last to first in California Derby
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Prince Abu Dhabi, bought for a mere $8,000 as a yearling, extended his unbeaten streak to four races with a come-from-behind win in Saturday’s $101,800 California Derby at Golden Gate Fields.
Prince Abu Dhabi was given a patient ride by Alexander Chavez, who steadily moved the gelding past rivals from a last-place position of nine on the first turn to be sixth at the end of the backstretch. Chavez had Prince Abu Dhabi behind the leaders in early stretch before guiding his mount between runners to lead in the final furlong.
Prince Abu Dhabi ($8) held off a late threat from 10-1 Phosphorescence to win by a half-length, running 1 1/16 miles on the synthetic main track in 1:44.91. The second-time starter Egon, also 10-1, closed from last on the turn to finish third, beaten 1 1/4 lengths.
Prince Abu Dhabi earned a career-best Beyer Speed Figure of 83.
Chase the Chaos, the winner of the El Camino Real Derby at Golden Gate Fields in February, finished eighth by 6 1/4 lengths , failing to pose a threat in the final quarter-mile.
Prince Abu Dhabi, who is by Palace Malice, had his stakes debut in the California Derby for the father-son ownership team of Steve and Lance Kinross and trainer Blaine Wright.
Prince Abu Dhabi won his only start at 2 in a maiden race at 5 1/2 furlongs last September at 22-1. Earlier this year, Prince Abu Dhabi won allowance races at six furlongs on Feb. 11 and at a mile on March 31, leading to the California Derby.
“Luckily, he was in our price range,” Lance Kinross said. “Every time, he gets better and better.”
Prince Abu Dhabi has earned $115,200 from his four wins.
The California Derby was part of a program of six stakes led by the Grade 3 San Francisco Mile, a $250,000 race on turf.
There were four lesser stakes earlier on the program.
Owner and breeder Nick Alexander and jockey Umberto Rispoli each had two wins, including a shared victory with Alice Marble ($4.60) in the $76,350 Camilla Urso Stakes for fillies and mares at five furlongs on turf.
Rispoli ended the day with four wins, including a victory in the San Francisco Mile on Balnikhov.
Alice Marble closed from seventh on the backstretch with a wide rally to catch pacesetter Chancery Way in the final strides, winning by a head in 56.59 seconds. Alice Marble earned a career-best Beyer Speed Figure of 87.
Chancery Way (13-1) held second, 1 1/2 lengths in front of Secrets Told, who was also 13-1. Chancery Way set a strong early pace of 21.44 seconds for the opening quarter-mile and 44.67 for a half-mile.
Trained by Phil D’Amato, the 6-year-old Alice Marble won for the eighth time in her 16th start in the Camilla Urso. Alice Marble has won three consecutive stakes, including the Spring Fever and Irish O’Brien Stakes for statebred fillies and mares on dirt at Santa Anita since mid-February.
Rispoli won the day’s first stakes on Lily Poo in the $75,000 California Oaks for 3-year-old fillies on the synthetic main track.
Lily Poo ($3.80) stalked 2-1 Smiling Lady, who set a modest pace of 24.12 seconds for the opening quarter-mile and 48.94 for a half-mile. Lily Poo challenged Smiling Lady in early stretch and took the lead with less than a furlong remaining, winning by 2 3/4 lengths.
Lily Poo ran 1 1/16 miles in 1:45.61 and earned a Beyer Speed Figure of 76, which equals her career best. Smiling Lady was caught by 13-1 Delusively in deep stretch and was beaten a head for second in a field of five.
Lily Poo, a winner of 2 of 5 starts, races for Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners and trainer Michael McCarthy.
Rose Maddox gave Alexander a second stakes win on the program in the $77,250 Golden Poppy Stakes for fillies and mares at 1 1/16 miles on turf.
Ridden by Santos Rivera for trainer Steve Miyadi, Rose Maddox ($13.20) closed from fifth of 10 on the turn to reach the front in the final furlong, holding off a stern challenge from Nadette in the final furlong.
Rose Maddox won by a head and was timed in 1:44.17 and earned a career-best Beyer Speed Figure of 85. Nadette, the 2-1 favorite, finished a length in front of 8-1 Ever Smart, who led briefly in the stretch after stalking the early pace. Neil Drysdale trains Nadette and Ever Smart.
Rose Maddox, a 4-year-old filly by Grazen, has won 5 of 14 starts. Based at Santa Anita, Rose Maddox has won two stakes at Golden Gate Fields this year. In January, Rose Maddox won the Moscow Burning Stakes for statebred fillies and mares on the synthetic main track. She was later second to Alice Marble in the Irish O’Brien Stakes at Santa Anita in March.
The $75,900 Lost in the Fog Stakes for sprinters was won by the closer Top Harbor, but the race was marred by a severe injury sustained by 3-1 second choice Crazy Dreams in the stretch.
Crazy Dreams was near the front when he was stricken. My Summer Dream, who was racing behind and to the outside of Crazy Dreams, was hampered in the incident when out of contention.
Irving Orozco, who was aboard Crazy Dreams, was taken to a local hospital for an examination, according to track stewards.
Top Harbor ($3.80) was ridden by Frank Alvarado, who moved the 5-year-old horse into contention in early stretch with a wide rally. Top Harbor was racing slightly in front of Crazy Dreams and was not affected by the incident.
Top Harbor won by 2 1/4 lengths over 10-1 Larry’s Legend, who finished 1 1/2 lengths in front of 4-1 Creative Peak in a field of seven.
Top Harbor ran six furlongs in 1:09.87 and earned a Beyer Speed Figure of 92, which equals his career best.
Tim McCanna trains Top Harbor for owners and breeders Gordy Jarnig, Kenny Marshall and Eric Schweiger. Top Harbor, who has won 7 of 16 starts, has won four stakes.
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