The half-length victory margin, after being challenged by three rivals at various points of the race, was less significant than the path taken to get there. Yes, the pressure applied by his rivals outside kept his eyes on the prize, and not the grandstand. But after the tough journey, he opened a clear lead over a tired Any Given Saturday and ran straight, not lugging in but drifting out slightly as he had done in the past. Only this time he had a right to tire and he came out perhaps two paths.
Sightseeing, a strong runnerup who gave favorite players concerns in deep stretch, was entered almost as an afterthought by Shug McGaughey, who entered the Wood only after learning Circular Quay would be declared. McGaughey now might have to give the Derby some thought, not an easy decision for the normally conservative hardboot.
The major pre-race contenders had difficult Wood trips, but their efforts still were disappointing. Any Given Saturday appeared a tired horse, likely feeling the effects of an arduous head-bob loss in Tampa Bay Derby while returning on relatively short rest. Summer Doldrums failed to rebound to his Whirlaway-winning form.
Pletchers Revenge
The results might have been disappointing for Americas most dominant horseman but, for Todd Pletcher, the Illinois Derby was a pleasant surprise and not because second favorite Cowtown Cat wasnt expected to contend. Rather, it was the way he did it: on the lead while pressured throughout before drawing off late and winning in full stride, as is the Derbys added furlong would suit. But the level of competition will go up. Way up. And a final time of 1:51.20 at this level was pedestrian.
But there unlikely will be a Derby run for Merv Griffin, owner of Cobalt Blue, who stalked the embattled leaders, ranged up to challenge approaching head stretch, but offered very little in a poor performance, finishing seventh.
Giacomo Lives!
Like brother, like sibling. Tiago, owned by the same Jerome Moss, trained by the same John Sherriffs and ridden by the same Mike Smith that partnered to win the 2005 Kentucky Derby with Giacomo, are back on the trail with the kid half-brother.
Like Giacomo in the Derby, Tiago, whose only win prior to yesterdays Grade 1 Santa Anita Derby was a maiden victory via disqualification, came from far back to win, relishing the extra ground and removal of blinkers to win in 1:49 2/5, the same time recorded by Nobiz Like Shobiz an hour earlier and 3,000 miles to the East.
The powerful Pletcher stable finished second and third with King Of The Roxy and pacesetting Sam P., respectively. It was an especially good performance by the runnerup, who swept to command five wide at head stretch to loom a clear winner until Tiago out finished him from the inside under furious handling from Smith. Tiago is now going on to Kentucky, though Pletcher was uncertain about where the second and third finishers would run next. He seemed pleasantly surprised and pleased by King Of The Roxys ability to stay nine furlongs. Favorite Liquidity finished unplaced after a perfect stalking trip giving Doug ONeill his second major disappointment of the day.
