Most Wanted wins Ellis Park Derby, stays unbeaten for Cox

Most Wanted needed every inch of the Ellis Park stretch while holding off Not This Boy to win Sunday’s seventh running of the $260,000 Ellis Park Derby.

Now undefeated from three starts, Most Wanted covered one-mile in 1:35.86 for trainer Brad Cox and jockey Florent Geroux.

Out of the gate, Most Wanted had a sharp beginning and spurted to a one-length margin over Not This Boy while cruising a quarter-mile in 24.27 seconds. Around the far turn, Most Wanted clung to his position at the rail while Not This Boy remained two wide and 6-5 favorite Who Dey loomed in contention after breaking slow. Down the stretch, Most Wanted continued to find more and was able to hold Not This Boy at bay.

Who Dey finished in third, 9 ½ lengths ahead of Native Land and Stretch Ride.

“When he broke that sharply I just wanted to make sure we had enough energy left for the stretch,” Geroux said. “In each of his three starts he continued to improve. I think he’s starting to get better. It just took some time for him to figure things out but the way he won today was very professional. When he dug in late in the stretch you could tell he didn’t want to lose.”

Owned by Gary and Mary West, Most Wanted is a homebred son of Candy Ride out of the Distorted Humor mare Beach Walk. With his victory in the Ellis Park Derby, Most Wanted improved his purse earnings to a solid $279,553.