Program Trading (winner), Webslinger (runner-up) show they're worth watching after Hollywood Derby

DEL MAR, Calif. - The 1-2 finish by Program Trading and Webslinger in Saturday’s Grade 1 Hollywood Derby was as much about the future to the riders of those 3-year-olds as it was the correct exacta in the $300,000 turf race at 1 1/8 miles at Del Mar.

Both Flavien Prat, who rode Program Trading, and Tyler Gaffalione, who was aboard Webslinger, walked away certain their mounts will be heard from in 2024.

“I think he’ll still improve,” Prat said.

“He should benefit from more distance,” Gaffalione said.

Program Trading won his second Grade 1 race, and for the fourth time in his fifth start, in the Hollywood Derby, closing from sixth in a field of seven to win by a neck.

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Prat gave Program Trading a confident ride from well off the pace. Sixth at the end of the backstretch, Program Trading was steered into a three-wide position entering the stretch and took the lead in the final furlong.

Webslinger, who closed from last, rallied with an impressive run to just miss a victory. Silver Knott (9-2) finished third.

Sent off favored, Program Trading ($3.80) was timed in 1:47.82 and earned a Beyer Speed Figure of 94.

“He had a good turn of foot,” Prat said. “I had a clear path.”

Webslinger had finished a fast-closing third in the Grade 2 Twilight Derby at 1 1/8 miles at Santa Anita on Nov. 4 and was ridden for the first time by Gaffalione on Saturday.

“I was happy with the way he finished,” Gaffalione said.

Silver Knott, second in the Twilight Derby for Godolphin Racing and British trainer Charles Appleby, was followed in the order of finish by Watsonville, Santorini, and Reiquist. Redistricting was pulled up on the turn when he lugged out.

Program Trading, a British-bred ridgling by Lope de Vega, races for Klaravich Stables and trainer Chad Brown.

Purchased for $356,500 as a yearling in Britain, Program Trading won his first three starts from mid-May to early August, a sequence of wins ending with the Grade 1 Saratoga Derby at 1 3/16 miles.

Program Trading was second as the 7-10 favorite in the Grade 3 Virginia Derby at Colonial Downs on Sept. 9, leading in the stretch before losing by 1 1/4 lengths to the undefeated Integration. On Nov. 18, Integration won the Grade 2 Hill Prince Stakes by five lengths at Aqueduct.

Program Trading carried 123 pounds in the Virginia Derby, four more than Integration, another promising 4-year-old turf male for 2024.

“He has run well every time,” Prat said of Program Trading.

“The last time, when he got beat, we were drawn outside and we had to carry more weight. The winner is a good horse.”

Program Trading was Prat’s third of four winners on a nine-race program.

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