Accelerate beats Semper Fortis again in Los Alamitos Derby
Accelerate, the 9-10 favorite, remained undefeated around two turns and became a graded stakes winner with a head victory over Semper Fortis in the Grade II, $201,035 Los Alamitos Derby Saturday.
Owned by the Hronis Racing LLC of Kosta and Pete Hronis and trained by John Sadler, the 3-year-old son of Lookin At Lucky overcame a sluggish beginning and a very wide trip to prevail for the third time in six career starts.
Out of the Awesome Again mare Issues and bred in Kentucky by Mike Abraham, Accelerate had won twice at one mile – including the Shared Belief Stakes Aug. 26 at Del Mar – prior to his victory at 1 1/8 miles Saturday.
There was an inquiry and a claim of foul by Hall of Fame jockey Gary Stevens aboard third-place finisher and 5-2 second choice Blackjackcat for alleged interference in the stretch, but it was dismissed by the stewards.
Accelerate did drift in slightly and Semper Fortis did drift out a bit inside the final furlong, but the stewards ruled it didn’t cost Blackjackcat a better placing.
Completing a triple for jockey Tyler Baze, Accelerate, who was purchased for $300,000 at the Keeneland September sale in 2014, completed the nine furlongs in 1:48.48. The $120,000 payday increased his earnings to $236,880. He paid $3.80, $2.40 and $2.10.
After some issues at the start, Accelerate wasn’t as forwardly placed as his connections hoped y and was wide while tracking the pace set by longshot Chris and Dave with Semper Fortis, the 3-1 third choice, close by.
Runner-up at 14-1 in the Shared Belief, Semper Fortis rallied along the rail to take a clear lead early in the stretch, but couldn’t quite contain Accelerate late.
“(Baze) said he was a little rough at the gate today and that’s why he got away bad,’’ said Sadler. “We didn’t really anticipate being too far off the pace, but (Baze) didn’t want to rush him.
“He was much the best in my opinion. He was really wide and never got a chance to save ground. It was really a game effort. We always thought this horse would improve going long.’’
Baze, whose other wins Saturday came aboard Mizzen Glory in the third and Tough Sunday in the seventh, thinks even better days are ahead for Accelerate.
“He’s a horse who is still learning and has a lot of room for improvement,’’ he said. “He has a tendency to lug in, so I was working on keeping him straight.’’
Semper Fortis, who had won in his Los Alamitos debut last Dec. 5, finished 1 ½ lengths in front of Blackjackcat, who was making his first start on dirt since finishing fifth in his sprint debut May 7. Semper Fortis returned $2.80 and $2.20 while the show price on Blackjackcat was $2.60.
Mishegas, Curlin Road, Sugar Buzz, Chris and Dave and Arizona Moon completed the order of finish.
A silent auction sponsored by Kim and Kevin Nish of KMN Racing, LLC Saturday at Los Alamitos raised $1,000 for the Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund.
The winning bidder for a signed canvas print of Shared Belief defeating California Chrome in the 2015 San Antonio Stakes was Julie Helscher. The print of the original painting commissioned by the Nishes from famed artist John Rowe was signed by Jim Rome, Hall of Fame trainer Jerry Hollendorfer and Hall of Fame jockey Mike Smith.
KMN Racing, LLC and Rome – the well-known television and radio personality – were part owners of Shared Belief, a multiple graded stakes winner who died last Dec. 3 due to complications of colic.
Racing resumes Sunday. Post time for closing day of the Los Angeles County Fair meet at Los Alamitos is 2 p.m.
Heading into the final day, Stewart Elliott holds a 12-8 lead over Baze and Santiago Gonzalez in the jockey standings while Hall of Famer Bob Baffert and Doug O’Neill are tied for the top spot in the trainer’s race. They each have five wins, one more than Peter Miller and Brian Koriner.
Source: Los Alamitos Race Course