Anak Nakal Wins Pennsylvania Derby at Philadelphia Park
Posted on Tuesday, September 2nd, 2008
Four Roses Thoroughbreds’ Anak Nakal surged ahead of the favorites to win the $1-million Pennsylvania Derby at Philadelphia Park on Monday, September 1.
With 13-time Monmouth Park riding champion jockey Joe Bravo in the saddle, the 3-year-old Anak Nakal worked his way through traffic on the far turn, switched to the middle of the track in the home stretch and seized the lead within the shadow of the finish line.
Anak Nakal, who was 16-1 and won for the third time in 10 lifetime starts, finished a neck ahead of Acai covering 1 1/8 miles in 1:48.99 and paying $34.60, $15, $8.60. Acai, ridden by jockey Corey Nakatani, returned $10.40 and $6.20.
Smooth Air, the 4-1 favorite due to a first-place finish in the Ohio Derby in May, was another 1 1/2 lengths behind in third place showing $4.60. West Virginia Derby winner Ready Set never got in gear and finished 11th in the 13-horse field.
Wishful Tomcat broke from the gate in front and hung on for a half-mile before being passed by the eventual 6th-place finisher, Two Step Salsa, making his first start on a dirt track after winning two stake events on Hollywood Park‘s artificial surface.
Acai was a length in front at the head of the stretch and looked like a sure winner until Anak Nakal collared him in the last 1/16th of a mile.
Anak Nakal, the son of Victory Gallop from Misk, took a winner’s check for $532,000, boosting his earnings to $875,000.
Stones River was 4th in Philadelphia Park’s Pennsylvania Stakes followed by Atoned, Two Step Salsa, Tiz Now Tiz Then, You and I Forever, Alaazo, Only for Now, Ready Set, Numaany and Wishful Tomcat. Power Game was scratched.
Tags: Acai, Alaazo, Anak Nakal, Atoned, Numaany, Only for Now, Power Game, Ready Set, Smooth Air, Stones River, Tiz Now Tiz Then, Two Step Salsa, Wishful Tomcat, You and I Forever
"Anak Nakal Wins Pennsylvania Derby at Philadelphia Park" was posted on Tuesday, September 2nd, 2008 at 1:20 am and is filed under Belmont Park, Horse Racing Industry, Horses, Philadelphia Park, Race Tracks News, Results & Payouts, Stakes Races, USA Horse Racing. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Leave a response, or trackback from your own site.
Previous Horse Racing News Entry:
Vineyard Haven wins Hopeful Stakes at Saratoga Race Course
Next Horse Racing News Entry:
Curlin May Race In The Jockey Club Gold Cup Invitational September 27 at Belmont Park
Horse Racing News is the source of thoroughbred racing information with horse racing odds, betting tips, racing picks, race results, and handicapping. Latest news and articles on top horse racing contenders, jockeys, trainers, three-year-olds, race tracks, and major stakes races such as the Triple Crown races: the Kentucky Derby, Preakness and Belmont Stakes as well as the Breeders' Cup horse races.