Cox, Géroux pull off West Virginia Derby-Governor’s double

Heading into the Grade 3, $500,000 West Virginia Derby, trainer Brad Cox said the connections were hoping to see Dragoon Guard get more experience and take another step forward. The 3-year-old Arrogate colt met those expectations at Mountaineer on Sunday evening.

The Juddmonte homebred built on a gate-to-wire victory in the Indiana Derby (G3) on July 6 with another front-end score in his first attempt at the 1 1/8-mile distance.

Click here for Mountaineer entries and results.

Cox and jockey Florent Géroux won both the Derby and, with Hit Show, the West Virginia Governor’s Stakes (G3) on Saturday night.

Dragoon Guard faced little pressure turning for home from Society Man, who was in contention throughout and held well for third, and Dimatic, who rallied from fourth to finish second, 2 3/4 lengths behind the winner.

Henro was an even fourth followed by Agate Road and McQueen in the six-horse Derby field. The final time was 1:49.96 on a dirt track rated fast.

Dragoon Guard, the 7-10 favorite, returned $3.40 to win.

“It was a solid performance,” said Cox, who won his first West Virginia Derby. “He took another step forward, and we’re very proud of him. We’re not sure about the future schedule for him. We’ll have to discuss that with the owner.”

Géroux has ridden Dragoon Guard in all five of his races. All allogn the colt has taken forward steps in his development. Géroux indicated the West Virginia Derby represented more progress.

“The plan was very simple. Go straight to the lead,” Géroux said. “When I did ask him, he had plenty to give. He lost his first race, but the last four were nice wins. So far he has been very good, and this was one encouraging.”

Dragoon Guard is 4-for-4 in 2024 after finishing second, beaten by a neck, in his career debut as a 2-year-old in September at Churchill Downs. His earnings stand at $625,860.

Hit Show bounces back, wins Governor’s

Hit Show rebounded from a seventh-place finish in the Prairie Meadows Cornhusker Handicap (G3) with an eventful score as the 7-5 second choice in the West Virginia Governor’s Stakes (G3).

Ridden for the third time in a row by Géroux, Hit Show as usual was taken off the early pace. Long-shot local runner Play Chicken broke from the gate on top and set an honest pace for more than six furlongs with second choice Extra Añejo rating in second.

Hit Show started a rally from the back of the pack, and as the field bunched up approaching the top of the stretch, Géroux had to decide whether to wait or duck inside. He guided the 4-year-old Candy Ride colt inside toward the rail, found a seam, and Hit Show continued his rally along the rail to victory.

“It was the only option I really had and the only spot that was not taken,” Géroux said. “He was traveling great the whole race, and I had a decision to make.”

Owned by Gary and Mary West, Hit Show won by a half-length over Heroic Move with Komorebino Omoide another three-quarters of a length back in third. The 13-10 favorite Extra Añejo was fourth.

Hit Show returned $4.80 to win and completed the distance in 1:42.65 on a track rated fast.

“He ran really well,” Cox said. “He really had to dig in to get the job done.”