Woodlands: Bisquik tops derby field

Bisquik has stepped up his game since the addition of blinkers, and shoots for his second stakes race since September in the $20,000 Woodlands Derby at The Woodlands.

The 1 1/16-mile race drew a field of nine. Other leading contenders include Scarlet Jeff, the winner of the Kansas Thoroughbred Association Derby last out who will add Lasix, and Proper Carson, winner of a recent allowance at The Woodlands.

Bisquik added blinkers on July 30, and in his six subsequent starts has finished no worse than second. His wins include the $40,000 Minnesota Thoroughbred Association Stallion Auction Laddie on Sept. 3, and a 13 1/2-length allowance romp Aug. 7.

Bisquik also placed in a handful of stakes in his last six starts, including the $90,000 Prairie Meadows Derby on Sept. 24 and the $43,000 Minnesota Classic Championship against older horses Aug. 21. Wally's Choice, who won last year's Woodlands Derby in a 33-1 upset and then took the Grade 3, $150,000 Oklahoma Derby, won the Minnesota Classic Championship.

Bisquik will be stretching out around two turns for the Woodlands Derby after a second-place finish in a six-furlong allowance over the track Oct. 10, and figures to be prominent under Kelly Murray. Perry Wolff trains the colt.