Actor's Passion Wins Pioneer Derby
For only the 2nd time out of 20 races in the DHRA Triple Crown, a filly won.
Actor's Passion, a Stonestreet Stables homebred, also partially owned by George Bolton, was coming into the race following 3 straight victories, including the DeCo Oaks. The Champion 2 year old filly of one year ago gave Todd Pletcher his 2nd victory in the race, the first coming with Triple Crown winner, Mind That Bird.
The field of 11, 7 of which were graded stakes winners, all broke from the gates well, and were quick to spread out. The main speed, General Jake with new jockey, Chris Landeros, was chased by Western Weapon, who settled about a half a length off of the grey colt. The 3rd choice, Southern States, coming off a credible 3rd in the DeCo Stakes, sat right in behind them, then Actor's Passion followed. It was a break of 2 lengths back to DeCo Stakes winner, Plower, with the defending champion Jockey-Trainer combo of Bejarano and Baffert. He led a pack of 4, with Newell House on his outside, another length behind Plower was Big Attack, who was a length ahead of Grand Juan. The pack was then trailed, 3 lengths behind, by Distorted Swap, who had a length on local prep winner, Northern Creek, and then another 2 to the trailer, City's Best Food. The order remained the same all the way around, but as they entered the far turn, the longshots, Newell House and Distorted Swap, tired away, and one of the favorites Grand Juan, also started to lose ground. The other 8 all stayed on strong, as General Jake and Western Weapon, were joined by the 3 favorites, Plower, Southern States, and Actor's Passion, made it 5 wide around the turn. As they entered the stretch, the inside 2 started to lose ground, and the 3 others started pulling away, and Northern Creek was 4 lengths away and flying. Southern States took over after that, but Actor's Passion got up in the end, and Southern States held Plower for 2nd.
It was the 4th time in 5 DHRA triple crown races that Javier Castellano, Mike Smith, and Rafael Bejarano finished in the top 3, Bejarano leading with two wins. It was also the 4th Triple Crown win for Todd Pletcher, but the first since 2009.
Pletcher said that Actor's Passion would not run in the DeCo Triple Crown Stakes, and would be entered in both the Florida Ladies Classic and Gold Cup, but scratch from one. He also said Southern States would rest up for the New York Classic.
Finally, Baffert said Plower was "70-30" on running in the final leg, which would be his DeCo Cup Classic prep. Baffert also said that Calgary Jeter came out of The Pioneer well, and would face stablemate, and reigning Horse Of The Year, Silent Direction, in the Cal Cup Classic, the race he won last year, defeating Silent Direction.
Actor's Passion, a Stonestreet Stables homebred, also partially owned by George Bolton, was coming into the race following 3 straight victories, including the DeCo Oaks. The Champion 2 year old filly of one year ago gave Todd Pletcher his 2nd victory in the race, the first coming with Triple Crown winner, Mind That Bird.
The field of 11, 7 of which were graded stakes winners, all broke from the gates well, and were quick to spread out. The main speed, General Jake with new jockey, Chris Landeros, was chased by Western Weapon, who settled about a half a length off of the grey colt. The 3rd choice, Southern States, coming off a credible 3rd in the DeCo Stakes, sat right in behind them, then Actor's Passion followed. It was a break of 2 lengths back to DeCo Stakes winner, Plower, with the defending champion Jockey-Trainer combo of Bejarano and Baffert. He led a pack of 4, with Newell House on his outside, another length behind Plower was Big Attack, who was a length ahead of Grand Juan. The pack was then trailed, 3 lengths behind, by Distorted Swap, who had a length on local prep winner, Northern Creek, and then another 2 to the trailer, City's Best Food. The order remained the same all the way around, but as they entered the far turn, the longshots, Newell House and Distorted Swap, tired away, and one of the favorites Grand Juan, also started to lose ground. The other 8 all stayed on strong, as General Jake and Western Weapon, were joined by the 3 favorites, Plower, Southern States, and Actor's Passion, made it 5 wide around the turn. As they entered the stretch, the inside 2 started to lose ground, and the 3 others started pulling away, and Northern Creek was 4 lengths away and flying. Southern States took over after that, but Actor's Passion got up in the end, and Southern States held Plower for 2nd.
It was the 4th time in 5 DHRA triple crown races that Javier Castellano, Mike Smith, and Rafael Bejarano finished in the top 3, Bejarano leading with two wins. It was also the 4th Triple Crown win for Todd Pletcher, but the first since 2009.
Pletcher said that Actor's Passion would not run in the DeCo Triple Crown Stakes, and would be entered in both the Florida Ladies Classic and Gold Cup, but scratch from one. He also said Southern States would rest up for the New York Classic.
Finally, Baffert said Plower was "70-30" on running in the final leg, which would be his DeCo Cup Classic prep. Baffert also said that Calgary Jeter came out of The Pioneer well, and would face stablemate, and reigning Horse Of The Year, Silent Direction, in the Cal Cup Classic, the race he won last year, defeating Silent Direction.