Irap dominates in the $500,000 Indiana Derby
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Photo:
John Engelhardt
It is no longer a surprise when Irap wins a big race. The big, good looking son of Tiznow is getting better all the time. Tonight, his talents were on full display, as he ran perhaps his best race yet in authoritatively dismantling the field in the $500,000 Indiana Derby.
As part of a big evening at Indiana Grand, which featured six stakes races, and record attendance and handle, the once long time maiden was sent to the post of the Grade 3 affair as a clear favorite of ten at 7-5. Ridden by Mario Gutierrez, the winner of the Blue Grass and Ohio Derby broke from the rail, and quickly found a comfortable stalking position behind the early leader.
That early pace was set down by the Pat Day Mile winner Wild Shot, who carved out early splits of :23.71 and :47.71. Big longshot Han Sense was closest as the field raced down the Indiana Grand backstretch. Meanwhile, Irap moved a bit closer on the outside and into the fourth position as the Derby horses approached the far turn.
On the turn, Irap quickly made his presence felt moving in on the leaders with powerful strides. Wild Shot soon succumbed his position, and the Doug O'Neill-trained favorite charged to the lead, well of the rail. Spinning out of the turn, Irap assumed command, and the race suddenly was for second.
Colonelsdarktemper, who had been third down the backstretch, fought on, while Untrapped and Watch Me Whip tried to commence a rally, but they all appeared pedestrian compared to the impressive winner. Irap cruised to the finish line of the Indiana Derby the easiest kind of winner. He ultimately crossed the wire five lengths clear of the runner-up.
"He's definitely grown up since then (the Kentucky Derby)," remarked Gutierrez. "He was very unlucky in that race, and he was a bit immature back then. He has matured a lot, and he showed that today. Before he was the type of horse who couldn't pull it off and clear horses; he kind of wanted to run with company, but he showed he's not waiting on nobody any more."
Colonelsdarktemper won the race for second, 1 3/4-lengths ahead of the second choice, Untrapped, who was third. Watch Me Whip hung a bit late to be fourth, but well ahead of the rest. Final time for the 1 1/16-miles over the fast main track was a very solid 1:42.21.
A maiden after his first seven starts, tonight's Indiana Derby was the Reddam Racing runner's third big win in his last four starts, with only a tough trip, poor finish in the Kentucky Derby, interrupting a string of wins at Keeneland, Thistledown, and Indiana Grand. His career record now stands at 11-3-3-1, with earnings of $1,357,600.
As the favorite, Irap returned $4.80, $3.20, and $2.60 across the board to his many backers. The $2 exacta over the 11-1 Colonelsdarktemper was good for $43.60, and the 2-10-9 trifecta, completed by Untrapped, paid $111.80.
"He's still learning," added the happy winning rider. "His last couple wins were by a nose or a neck, so this was the first time he wasn't waiting on horses. I really think he can still get better."
That's a scary proposition to others in a three-year-old male division that remains very wide open, because tonight, he looked very, very good. It will be on to the Travers next for Irap.
“I thought he’s matured as a racehorse now," said O'Neill. "He always had the tools, which is why we put him in ambitious spots, but mentally he wasn’t quite there yet. Now he’s there." On what's next for Irap, O'Neill added, “Hopefully it begins with a T (Travers Stakes). We’ll take our shot at the big boys again.”
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