The Padre delivers against reduced field in Del Mar Derby

Originally expected to be the other Phil D’Amato horse in the 1 1/8-mile turf race, The Padre overpowered rivals racing in front of him. He stormed into the lead in the homestretch Sunday en route to a one-length win in the Grade 2, $300,000 Del Mar Derby for just five 3-year-olds.

Sent off as the top betting choice, The Padre (3-5) had his path cleared before the race when his stablemate Iron Man Cal, the morning-line favorite, was scratched.

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Ridden by Umberto Rispoli, The Padre traveled in fourth while Juan Hernández guided Freedom’s Not Free (2-1) through slow, pacesetting fractions of 25.00, 49.67, 1:13.85 and 1:37.57.

The Padre, an Ireland-bred colt by Ghaiyyath, picked up his pace turning for home. He took the lead traveling three wide into the final furlong on his way to a winning time of 1:49.23 on the firm turf.

Freedom’s Not Free held on for second, Game Warrior (10-1) was third, Geometry (6-1) came in fourth, and D’Amato-trained Mythical Reel (13-1) finished last.

The Padre paid $3.40, $2.20 and $2.10; Freedom’s Not Free $3.00 and $2.20; and Game Warrior $2.40.

Bred by John Halley, The Padre won his debut as a 33-1 long shot Jan. 29 going 1 5/16 miles on the synthetic course at Dundalk in Ireland. Privately acquired by Little Red Feather Racing, Sterling Stables and Marsha Naify, he finished second as a 7-2 second choice making his U.S. debut in a two-turn mile allowance June 13 at Santa Anita. He followed that with his last-out victory as the even-money favorite in the La Jolla Handicap over the same course and distance as Sunday’s race.