Subconscious makes Twilight Derby third consecutive win
ARCADIA, Calif. - “The guys” at trainer Richard Mandella’s barn were good prognosticators when it came to assessing the chances of the gelding Subconscious in the Grade 2 Twilight Derby at Santa Anita on Sunday.
Subconscious had his graded stakes debut in the $202,500 Twilight Derby and had a perfect trip under jockey Juan Hernandez to win his third consecutive start.
“The guys at the barn told me he was doing good and they were right,” Hernandez said.
Hernandez played a vital role in the outcome. He guided Subconscious to a stalking position behind 6-5 favorite Rock Your World through the first seven furlongs. On the turn, Subconscious rallied around Rock Your World to take the lead before the eighth pole.
Subconscious ($7.80) pulled clear to win by 1 1/4 lengths over 26-1 Cathkin Peak. Owned by Larry, Nancy and Jaime Roth’s LNJ Foxwoods, Subconscious ran 1 1/8 miles on turf in 1:47. She earned a Beyer Speed Figure of 93.
“He felt pretty good,” Hernandez said. “He broke clean and he put himself up there. The other horse took the lead and I sat behind him.
“I was waiting for the stretch to make my move.”
Mandella said earlier this month that the decision to geld Subconscious earlier this year has led to a turnaround in the 3-year-old’s career. Subconscious lost his first three starts. In six appearances, Subconscious, by Tapit, has earned $219,820.
Cathkin Peak, a troubled fourth in the Grade 2 Del Mar Derby on Sept. 4, closed from ninth in a field of 10 along the inside to finish a half-length in front of 10-1 Beyond Brilliant, who had his stakes debut Sunday.
Jockey Jose Valdivia Jr. said Cathkin Peak is improving. Cathkin Peak won the minor Eddie Logan Stakes last winter.
“He was second-best,” Valdivia said. “He’s starting to settle a little more. I think he fits with these.”
Hudson Ridge finished fourth, followed by Flashiest, Zoffarelli, Jungle Cry, None Above the Law, Rock Your World, and Wootton Asset.
Rock Your World, the winner of the Grade 1 Santa Anita Derby, faded to finish ninth, beaten 4 1/2 lengths. Rock Your World set fractions of 23.76 seconds for the opening quarter-mile and 47.46 for a half-mile, leading by as much as 1 1/2 lengths. He was third with a furlong remaining, but not a factor late.
“I can’t find any excuse,” jockey Umberto Rispoli said. “I was on the lead. He was a little bit aggressive in the first part. When the other horse came around at the quarter-pole, I was done.”
Subconscious, purchased for $380,000 as a weanling at Keeneland, could return in the Grade 1 Hollywood Derby at 1 1/8 miles on turf at Del Mar on Nov. 27.