Macho Macho Upsets Hansen in West Va.
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Jockey Corey Nakatani and Macho Macho let Louisiana Derby winner (gr. I) Hero of Order do the dirty work wearing out 3-5 favorite Hansen in the $750,000 West Virginia Derby (gr. II), then rolled home from a perfect stalking position to claim victory at Mountaineer Casino Racetrack & Resort Aug. 4.
Hansen, the 2011 2-year-old male champion racing with a blue tail for Dr. Kendall Hansen and trainer Mike Maker under Hall of Fame jockey Mike Smith, tired in the 1 1/8 mile test after Hero of Order pressed the pace on the inside from the break all the way to the final turn. Hansen finished fourth behind Macho Macho and closers Bourbon Courage and Called to Serve.
"For some reason they wanted to be in front of him," Smith remarked of the pressure from Hero of Order and Eddie Martin Jr. up front. "They wound up way back and ended up costing me the race. He ran OK, but he was really hot and got pressured all the way. It just wasn't his day."
"For some reason they wanted to be in front of him," Smith remarked of the pressure from Hero of Order and Eddie Martin Jr. up front. "They wound up way back and ended up costing me the race. He ran OK, but he was really hot and got pressured all the way. It just wasn't his day."
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