Rotation rebounds to win Super Derby
Rotation turned the tables on a number of his rivals from a month ago to capture the Grade 3, $300,000 Super Derby by three-quarters of a length over stablemate Vangilder on Saturday at Louisiana Downs.
Both horses are trained by Steve Asmussen, who was winning his second Super Derby behind last year’s victory with Limation.
The Super Derby had its 40th running Saturday and it was showcased on a card that included six other stakes. The races were worth a combined $660,000 and the card was the richest of the season at Louisiana Downs.
Rotation ($13.40) was making his second start at the Bossier City, La., track. He invaded for the Prelude, the local prep for the Super Derby, and was one of the top choices in the 1 1/16-mile race Aug. 3. But right out of the gate he stumbled badly, and ended up fourth behind winner Leader of Men, runner-up Trevilion and third-place finisher Paynt Battle, all of whom ran back in the Super Derby.
Things were different Saturday. Rotation broke with the field and settled in fifth along the rail as Pirate’s Punch jumped out to the lead and set fractions of 23.94 seconds for the opening quarter, 46.77 for the half-mile, and 1:10.63 for six furlongs, with Fredonian and Knicks Go, a Grade 1 winner and the 4-5 favorite, in close pursuit. Rotation advanced into the final turn, angled out into the stretch, and moved past his rivals, getting to Pirate’s Punch in the later stages, then holding off a fast-closing Vangilder.
“He’s really a good horse – very smart,” said Richard Eramia, who was aboard Rotation.
The winner covered the 1 1/16 miles on a fast track in 1:43.70.
Pirate’s Punch, a half-brother to Grade 1 winner Girvin, held third, finishing a neck behind Vangilder.
Rotation races for his breeder, Winchell Thoroughbreds. He is a son of Tapit and the Olympio mare Free Spin, making him a full brother to Tapiture, a Grade 1 winner of $1.5 million. Rotation has now won 2 of 9 starts, and the first-place check of $180,000 on Saturday pushed his earnings to $302,318.