Rattle N Roll goes last to first in St. Louis Derby

Rattle N Roll rocked the $250,000 St. Louis Derby with a last-to-first rally under Brian Hernandez Jr. on Saturday at FanDuel Sportsbook and Racing.

Coming wide around the far turn and into the homestretch, Rattle N Roll cruised to a 4 1/2-length victory. War Campaign parlayed a milder rally from the tail of a nine-horse field to finish a clear second, 1 1/2-lengths better than pacepressing third-place finisher Brigadier General. Early leader One Timer faded to finish last, while 4-1 second choice Strike Hard was a no-factor seventh.

Rattle N Roll, an also-eligible in the Kentucky Derby, won the American Derby on July 11 at Churchill Downs and was badly compromised a week later when wiped out at the start of the Indiana Derby. The betting public recognized Rattle N Roll’s merit, making him a strong 7-5 favorite. Rattle N Roll paid $4.80 to win, running 1 1/16 miles over a fast track in 1:45.12.

Rattle N Roll was considered a Triple Crown prospect early in 2022, but instead has emerged as a major player in the bevy of rich age-restricted dirt-route stakes for 3-year-olds not quite up to tackling the division’s elite. Hernandez rode him like clearly the best horse Saturday night, sacrificing ground loss off a half-mile run in 48.24 for a clean trip, and was rewarded with a rich payday.

Kenny McPeek trains Rattle N Roll for the Lucky Seven Stable. The colt, by Connect out of Jazz Tune, by Johannesburg, was bred in Kentucky by Simon Place. His record now stands at 12-4-1-2.

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