Turf Paradise: Derive confirms his horse of the meet status

PHOENIX - Any doubts that Derive is hands-down horse of the meet at Turf Paradise were put to rest when the 6-year-old son of Cozzene captured Saturday’s $35,000 Coyote Handicap, his sixth win in as many starts at the meet, including three stakes.

Owned by Rick Wiest and trained by Robertino Diodoro, Derive was the 123-pound highweight in the 6 1/2-furlong event on the strength of his five straight prior wins, which included the meet’s marquee event, the Phoenix Gold Cup. Under Jorge Carreno Derive dueled early with Danzip to the far turn, and then began to asset his authority, pulling away to eventually win by 4 lengths.

Danzip, making just his second start after 15 months on the bench, stayed on for second, while Absolutely Cool, who was beaten a nose by Derive in the Phoenix Gold Cup, ran third in the field of nine.

Derive ran the distance in 1:14.54 and paid $5.40 as the 8-5 favorite. The winner’s share of $20,832 gives him career earnings of $233,120 from eight wins in 22 starts.