Accredit pulls off 36-1 upset in Dueling Grounds Derby

Franklin, Ky.

Accredit crossed the wire first in the $750,000 Dueling Grounds Derby at Kentucky Downs on Sunday, scoring at 36-1 and earning his first stakes victory in the process.

Trainer Pavel Matejka said after the race that he was not surprised with how the son of Flatter handled the yielding European-style turf course going 1 5/16 miles.

“Martin (Garcia) did a great job to get him out and get him clear,” Matejka said. “I think that every time he’s in a spot like that, he’s hard to pass.”

The colt came into the race off a fourth-place effort in the Kentucky Downs Preview Dueling Grounds Derby at Ellis Park on Aug. 7. Before that, he ran second in the American Derby at Arlington Park in July.

Matejka said Accredit ran well in both races but did not manage the ideal trip until Sunday’s race.

Before the race, the trainer had only one message for jockey Martin Garcia: Get clear from the gate. The jockey succeeded with Accredit jumping to the lead immediately and not surrendering, winning by a length.

“He got stuck behind a horse with nowhere to go,” the trainer said of the colt’s previous race. “Today worked out perfect.”

Fractions for the race were 24.17, 49.03, 1:14.31 and 1:39.59. Accredit’s winning time was 2:10.58.

Accredit returned $75 for the win. Yes This Time and Cellist finished second and third, respectively.