East Hall finally gets there in the Ohio Derby

East Hall had been knocking on the door for a long time. On Saturday at ThistleDown he kicked that door in with a last ditch effort that nailed Jessica’s Star on the wire in the 80th edition of the Ohio Derby.

The chestnut son of Graeme Hall entered Cleveland oval’s signature race winless in seven starts in 2014, but not for a lack of trying. In each of those seven losses, all stakes races in Florida, East Hall had shown late run, but could never quite catch the leaders. Rather than trying easier competition, his trainer William Kaplan decided on a change of scenery. His horse would do the rest.

The ominous cloud cover that had been an on again, off again part of the day for the enthusiastic Ohio Derby crowd finally opened up just after the running of the previous race turning the fast track into one labelled wet fast. The change in track condition seemed to matter little to the field of eleven, though, as the two favorites took control of the race.

Almost Famous, with Calvin Borel in the irons, carved out early fractions of :23.20, a half in :46.88, and three-quarters in 1:11.22. The 3-2 favorite still looked strong on the far turn, but it was clear that the second choice, Jessica's Star, also had come to run. Fresh off an Iowa Derby score, Jessica’ Star pressed and grabbed the lead early in the stretch. Almost Famous proved game, but Jessica’s Star looked like a winner as the field barrelled past the sixteenth pole.

East Hall, a 9-1 shot, was kicking it in on the far outside, though, and the Ohio Derby result was quickly in doubt again. Owned by H. Jack Hendricks and Roger Justice, the gelding gained with every stride under Juan Leyva until he hit the wire together with Jessica’s Star. The photo finish ultimately revealing that the late rally got there just in time for East Hall.

"East Hall runs hard every time, and he's had his excuses," said Kaplan. "He's a rider's horse. East Hall does what a rider asks of him, and Juan is as cool as ice. He waited for just the right time to ask him accelerate, and my horse really responded."

Final time for the 8 ½ furlongs on the wet fast track was 1:44.22, as East Hall joined the Ohio Derby roll call of winners that includes such dignitaries as Black Gold, Broad Brush, Lost Code, Skip Away, Brass Hat, and Caleb’s Posse. With the win, he raised his record to 16-3-3-4, and doubled his lifetime earnings to $360,370.

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On a personal note, this was my first trip to ThistleDown in more than 20 years. I brought my family, Candice and Kendra, and we all had a great time. It is a trip that I will definitely do again ... especially if the resurgent Ohio Derby continues to attract quality fields like it did yesterday. I hope you enjoy some of my favorite photos from the afternoon.  

 Arrival at an old friend.

 Sometimes a little rain must fall.

New friends and old ones all enjoying the day.

 Miss Ohio Mackenzie Bart was saddened to learn that I was already married.

 Some of my favorites are in this Ohio Derby plaque. 

 The hardware was displayed before the big race.

East Hall looking good before the race.

What a finish! 

 The star of the day!