Frank Conversation Dominates California Derby
Frank Conversation sat a perfect trip under jockey Mario Gutierrez, waiting behind the dueling leaders before claiming the lead in upper stretch and drawing off to a 2 ½-length victory in the 101st renewal of the $100,000 California Derby on Saturday at Golden Gate Fields.
After racing behind Algenon and Allaboutaction in third through opening fractions of 24.04, 47.95 and 1:12.23 in the 1 1/16-mile race, Frank Conversation offered a three-wide challenge nearing the quarter pole and quickly dispatched the early leaders. Gutierrez gave Frank Conversation a few cracks of the whip before taking the colt in hand for the final sixteenth of a mile. Marqula rallied for second as Algenon and Allaboutaction respectively faded to third and fourth.
Frank Conversation, who is trained by Doug O’Neill for owner Reddam Racing, returned $7 for a $2 win bet as the 5-2 second choice in the field of six. The final time was 1:43.37.
“The speed took off and I was able to relax (Frank Conversation) and sit behind the speed,” said Gutierrez. “It was a good trip for him. Last time (when he was fifth in the Grade 1 Los Alamitos Futurity) he was a little rank. Today he was more calm, and it was good for us.”
After finishing eighth on the dirt at Del Mar in September, Frank Conversation broke his maiden by 1 ¼ lengths going down the hill in October at Santa Anita and then was third in the Grade 3 Cecil B. DeMille on the turf at Del Mar in November. Switched back to dirt for the Grade 1 Los Alamitos Futurity on Dec. 19, he set a contested pace before tiring to fifth, 8 ½ lengths behind the winner Mor Spirit.
The $60,000 winner’s share of the California Derby purse more than doubled Frank Conversation’s earnings to $111,450.
Frank Conversation, a son of Quality Road, has the same owner, trainer and jockey as Nyquist, who is expected to be named 2015 Champion Two-Year-Old Male at the Eclipse Awards on Monday.
“We had a dream year with 2-year-olds and now everybody wants to be in the Kentucky Derby,” said Leandro Mora, assistant to O’Neill. “This is a nice horse and he’s bred top and bottom for grass and synthetic.”
The California Derby is the top local prep for the Grade 3, $200,000 El Camino Real Derby, which will be contested at 1 1/8 miles on Feb. 13 at Golden Gate.
“I had (Frank Conversation) up here three days ago (at Golden Gate) and the first day he was just kind of adapting to the track, but the second day he opened up in his gallop and I knew we were in good shape,” said Mora. “We’ll see how he is in the next few days, but I’d say it’s even money that he’ll be back for the El Camino Real Derby. We’d like to earn some points for the Kentucky Derby.”
The 2016 California Derby was Gutierrez’s first win at Golden Gate since Dec. 2, 2010. Gutierrez, who has gone on to great success aboard I’ll Have Another and Nyquist, split time between Hastings Park and Golden Gate between November 2007 and December 2010. He was winless with 13 mounts during his occasional return visits to Golden Gate prior to this victory.
Russell Baze, rider aboard 8-5 favorite Allaboutaction, offered no excuses.
“We had a decent trip,” said Baze. “I was kind of worried Algenon would go (to the lead) because (his riders) had been taking him back and he wasn’t finishing well. My horse was comfortable down there. When I asked him he went to the front, but after the race he was really tired. I don’t know. He was just exhausted.”
Canada finished fifth and was followed home by Gold Rush Stakes winner Mana Strike.
Go Long and He’s a Tiger were scratched.
Source: Golden Gate Fields