Sheer Mayhem steps up to Equine Sales Derby after smashing debut

Triple Crown nominee Sheer Mayhem will attempt to build on a dominant debut win Saturday night when he takes on stakes winner Magic Vow in the $60,000 Equine Sales Derby at Evangeline Downs.

The Sales Derby covers 1 1/16 miles and is for 3-year-old graduates of designated sales in Louisiana.

Sheer Mayhem could go favored over a field of nine that includes Paddy O’ Lionel, the fourth-place finisher in last month’s $75,000 Crescent City Derby at Fair Grounds, and Cash First, whose dam, Financingavailable, won 10 stakes and earned $1.2 million.

Equine Sales Derby (Race 9)

KEY CONTENDERS

Sheer Mayhem, by Into Mischief
Beyer: 72

◗ He made a splash in his March 31 debut, stalking the pace and then drawing off to win by 7 3/4 lengths in a maiden special weight at a mile at Fair Grounds. Sheer Mayhem was the 3-5 favorite in the race restricted to 3-year-olds bred in Louisiana.

Sheer Mayhem earned a Beyer Speed Figure of 72, which is the best last-race number in the Equine Sales Derby. He also was flattered following the race, when third-place finisher Meraki came back in his next start to win a maiden special weight at Evangeline.

◗ Sheer Mayhem has since been working at Churchill Downs, his latest move a half-mile in 47.40 seconds on a “good” track April 29.

◗ Colby Hernandez has the mount on Sheer Mayhem, who will break from post 9 for Zayat Stables and trainer Brad Cox.

Magic Vow, by Private Vow
Last 3 Beyers: 60-73-72

◗ He became a stakes winner in his two-turn debut in November, when he won the $150,000 Louisiana Legacy on the undercard of the Delta Downs Jackpot. The Jackpot winner, Gunnevera, is set to run Saturday in the Kentucky Derby.

◗ Magic Vow has finished first or second in five of his six career starts. He comes off an eighth-place finish in the Crescent City Derby on April 1, a race in which he had trouble at the start. The race was his first since February.

◗ Magic Vow is one of two horses in the Equine Sales Derby with a win at Evangeline, the other being Preston’s Galaxy. Magic Vow won his career debut at the track last August.

◗ Kerwin Clark has the mount from post 4 for Brittlyn Stable and trainer Allen Landry.