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.Kentucky Derby Prep Race Results: Musket Man Wins Illinois Derby at Hawthorne April 4
Posted on Saturday, April 4th, 2009
Eric Fein and Vic Carlson’s Kentucky Derby contender Musket Man won by 2 lengths over Giant Oak in Saturday’s 52nd running of the $500,000 Illinois Derby (G2) April 4 at Hawthorne Race Course finishing 1 1/8 miles in 1:49.91.
It was 5 lengths back to longshot His Greatness who was well clear for third.
The Illinois Derby win came on the heels of a game score in the Tampa Bay Derby (G3) and had the connections, including trainer Derek Ryan and jockey Eibar Coa, thinking the 2009 Kentucky Derby is the next stop for Musket Man.
“I suppose we have to go to Kentucky now,” said race horse trainer Derek Ryan, tongue in cheek following the race. And jockey Eibar Coa certainly sounded pretty sure about a trip to Louisville, as well. “We were very confident going into the race…there’s no doubt he’ll get the distance of the Kentucky Derby.”
With the early scratch of Lord Justice, the early lead figured to fall in the lap of Perfect Song…and it did. Essentially unopposed early, Perfect Song reached the first quarter in 23:84. To his outside and a constant presence was His Greatness. The two picked up the pace with Perfect Song holding a slim lead, the half-mile run in 47:67.
Meanwhile the eventual Illinois Derby winner Musket Man was biding his time, unhurried but never too far back. When Coa asked Musket Man to commence his rally just before the far turn, the son of Yonaguska responded kindly. Moving four wide into the stretch, the duo soared past the embattled leaders and under a drive held off the only possible threat, Giant Oak, for the impressive-looking victory.
“He really ran a big race today. Everybody has been questioning his ability to get the distance, but they don’t the horse. I do,” Ryan said. “I know what I’ve got and I knew he would have no trouble getting the distance and he showed it today.”
As for the Illinois-bred, Giant Oak, his trainer Chris Block was prudent in his assessment following the second-place finish.
“I thought he ran well,” race horse trainer Chris Block said. “Musket Man was obviously the better horse today. My horse ran his heart out, just didn’t catch him.”
The connections of Musket Man earned $285,000 for the Illinois Derby victory, assuring enough graded stakes winnings should Musket Man, indeed, make his next stop in the Kentucky Derby 135.
Sent off as a slight favorite over Giant Oak, Musket Man paid $7.60 to win.
Nowhere to Hide was fourth in Hawthorne’s Illinois Derby followed by Il Postino, Free Country, Perfect Song, Al Khali, Toccet Rocket and Knight Shot.
Horse racing news edited from www.hawthorneracecourse.com.
Tags: Al Khali, Free Country, Giant Oak, His Greatness, Il Postino, Knight Shot, Lord Justice, Musket Man, Nowhere to Hide, Perfect Song, Toccet Rocket
"Kentucky Derby Prep Race Results: Musket Man Wins Illinois Derby at Hawthorne April 4" was posted on Saturday, April 4th, 2009 at 9:43 pm and is filed under Hawthorne, Horse Racing Industry, Horses, Race Tracks News, Results & Payouts, Stakes Races, Triple Crown, 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.
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