Quarry takes Super Derby, continues to reward investors
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The $80,000 claim of Quarry at Churchill Downs in June is starting to look like the buy of the summer, if not the year.
Quarry won the Grade 3 Canadian Derby at Century Mile in Alberta on Aug. 22, and followed with his first stakes win in the United States in Saturday’s $250,000 Super Derby at Louisiana Downs.
Ridden for the first time by Harry Hernandez, Quarry ($10.40) was part of a slow pace and held off a late threat from 16-1 Sav’n Money to win by a half-length.
Trendsetter, winner of the Grade 3 Lexington Stakes at Keeneland in April, but subsequently beaten in his three Grade 3 stakes at Aqueduct, Thistledown and Mountaineer Park from early May to early August, finished third at 1-5 after reaching contention on the turn.
Quarry was third on the first turn, tracking 36-1 Zampino through an opening quarter-mile in 24.25 seconds. Hernandez moved Quarry to the front with a three-wide move when the field reached the backstretch, clocking 49.09 seconds for a half-mile.
“He got into a great spot,” Hernandez told Louisiana Downs publicity. “I didn’t have to rush him once, and he really helped me the whole way.”
Hernandez said that Quarry reached front “too early” on the backstretch.
“I didn’t feel like it was a fast pace,” Hernandez said. “It was comfortable. So, I just waited and waited.”
Quarry was kept wide on the backstretch, disputing the pace with Zampino. Quarry retook the lead on the turn and was clear in early stretch, leading by three lengths with a furlong remaining.
Hernandez said he noticed Sav’n Money was making progress in the stretch.
“Those shadows were getting closer and closer, but that wire was getting closer and closer, too,” Hernandez said.
Quarry ran 1 1/8 miles in 1:52.38.
Quarry races for Henry Witt Jr., and trainer Jerry Gourneau. Witt told Louisiana Downs publicity that he was briefly concerned when Quarry was dueling for the lead on the backstretch.
“I was kind of worried about him,” Witt said. “But whenever this horse gets hooked, then he wants to go. He kind of went around that turn and just took off.”
A Kentucky-bred gelding by War of Will, Quarry won for the third time in his 16th start in the Super Derby, his richest race. Quarry was bred by Claiborne Farms and beat maidens in his 10th start at Churchill Downs in May.
Quarry was claimed by Witt for $80,000 on June 20, when the gelding finished sixth in a one-mile turf race for nonwinners of two.
Since being claimed, Quarry has earned $250,235. In his career, Quarry has earned $367,427.
Trendsetter was followed in the order of finish by Emancipation, Marc, Zampino, Renegade and Cocked Pistol.
Quarry and Trendsetter were the only stakes winners in the Super Derby field.
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