Texas Red begins his ‘Road to the Kentucky Derby’
Louisville, KY (SportsNetwork.com) – Breeders’ Cup Juvenile winner Texas Red began his 3-year-old campaign Sunday with a runner-up finish to Lord Nelson in Santa Anita’s $200,000 San Vicente Stakes.
The San Vicente did not offer any points as part of the “Road to the Kentucky Derby” points system, but the seven-furlong stakes serves as a prep for the Santa Anita Derby on April 4.
Lord Nelson, also making his 2015 debut, defeated the 2-5 favorite by a neck and covered the seven furlongs in 1:22.15.
“I had a perfect trip. He broke a little slow but then he took off and I was able to find position right away,” said winning jockey Rafael Bejarano. “I let him go once we were clear and I knew at the five-eighths pole. Texas Red was the horse to beat and I was waiting for him. When he came to us I let him (Lord Nelson) go and my horse took off again.”
Texas Red will make his next start in the Risen Star at Fair Grounds, Feb. 21 at 1 1/16 miles followed by the Santa Anita Derby at 1 1/8 miles.
Saturday at Tampa Bay Downs was the $250,000 Sam F. Davis Stakes which again offered no points. Ocean Knight, ridden by Irad Ortiz Jr., defeated pacesetter Divining Rod by a neck in the 1 1/16-mile race.
“I had ridden (Ocean Knight) before so I knew he would wait until I asked him. We were good from the gate,” Ortiz noted, “and I was able to get position just outside the lead group. When I asked for run he just went after the horse on the lead like a good horse should. I really hope I get to ride him back in those big races coming up.”
The $350,000 Tampa Bay Derby is March 7 and offers 50 points to the winner.
El Kabeir and International Star are tied with 21 points followed by Upstart (16), Carpe Diem (14), Texas Red (12), Mr. Z (12), Far Right (12), Ocho Ocho Ocho (10), American Pharoah (10), Daredevil (10), Dortmund (10) and Lucky Player (10).
Coming up on Saturday are a pair of 1 1/16-mile stakes with 10 points going to the winners. At Aqueduct will be the Withers and at Santa Anita will be the Robert B. Lewis Stakes.
Categorized in: Horses