Hawthorne Derby: Willcox Inn Clearly Best

The 47th running of the Grade 3, TVG Hawthorne Derby brought together 

some of the best 3-year-old turf runners in the country. Contested at a 

mile and an eighth over a firm turf course, this final Illinois graded 

stakes race of 2011 boasted a strong field of 10, headed by the talented 

Willcox Inn.

He didn’t disappoint.

Sent off at $1.10-1, this Michael Stidham charge won by a comfortable 

four and a half lengths.

Legendary King was sent right to the lead and maintained that position 

for the first six furlongs but six furlongs was about it and he faded 

quickly. Willcox Inn, still sixth at that point, started making his 

move. He drew within striking distance on the far turn, shifted out to 

challenge for the lead at the quarter mile marker and powered his way to 

the front. He was never challenged.

Team Block’s Suntracer, who had finished second to Willcox Inn in the 

Arlington Classic and the Arlington Derby, came along late to finish 

second again, just passing Friendly Banter as they approached the wire.

Eddie Perez, 2nd on Suntracer: "He broke good, we had a good trip.  I 

just can't beat that horse."

Tim Thornton, 3rd on Friendly Banter: "It set up exactly like we thought 

it would.  When I asked him to run he responded, we just got outrun."

“We were disappointed that we couldn’t run at Delaware. We came here 

thinking that we would do pretty well but we didn’t think we would 

romp,” said co-owner Marty Nixon.

Where are you going next?  TVG’s Mike Joyce asked trainer Michael 

Stidham, “We’re looking at the Hollywood Derby,” he replied, ignoring 

hoots and heckles from All In Stable’s Marty Nixon and some of the other 

representatives of Willcox Inn. They obviously want to head to the 

Breeders’ Cup with this talented sophomore.

“Actually, on numbers, even though Willcox Inn finished fourth in the 

Arlington Million, he moved forward in that race. We felt really good 

about that effort. He came out of the race in good shape. We wanted to 

run in Delaware in the Grade 3 Kent Stakes but obviously the weather 

didn’t allow us to do that. But, we’re happy to be here. He’s just a 

solid little horse that really puts his effort into every race.

“I was a little concerned because there were some nice horses in this 

race but the way he drew off was quite impressive.”

Willcox Inn earned $120,000 for the victory, boosting his career 

earnings to $480,943.

They covered the mile and an eighth in 1:48.97 following fractions of 

:24.12, :48.47, 1:12.39, and 1:36.85.

Willcox Inn paid $4.20, $3.00, and $2.60. Suntracer paid $6.80 and 

$4.40. Friendly Banter returned $12.20.