A detailed analysis of Saturday’s 80th running of the Grade I, $1million Arkansas Derby for 3-year-olds at Oaklawn Park in Hot Springs, which was won by Creator, with jockey Ricardo Santana Jr. aboard. Creator is trained by Steve Asmussen and owned by Winstar Farm:
START TO QUARTER
Gettysburg (12) broke alertly from the extreme outside post and bounced out to the early lead with 4-5 favorite Cupid (10) and American Pioneer (5) in hot pursuit. Gettysburg, ridden by John Velazquez, posted an opening quarter mile of 22.81 seconds. Cupid, who got squeezed a bit at the break, rushed up to track the leader. Creator (3) was last, 15¼ lengths behind the leaders and 2½ lengths behind Discreetness (1), the 11th-place horse. Suddenbreakingnews (4) was 9th, 10¼ lengths back.
AT HALF MILE
Gettysburg (12) remained on the lead, blazing 4 furlongs in 46.33 as the horses reached the halfway point. Cupid (10), American Pioneer (5) and Unbridled Outlaw (6) were all giving chase. Creator (3) was still last of 12, 14¼ lengths behind the leaders. Whitmore (8) was 11th, 12¼ lengths behind. Suddenbreakingnews was 9th, 10¾ lengths back.
AT 6 FURLONGS
Gettysburg (12) continued to lead, hitting the 6-furlong mark in an impossible 1:10.61. about 7 lengths faster than the 6-furlong time for the Oaklawn Handicap two races earlier. Cupid (10) and American Pioneer (5) were still running 2-3, and 73-1 shot Gray Sky (11) made a brief move into contention. Creator (3) was 11th, 9¾ lengths back at the 6-furlong mark, just behind Suddenbreakingnews (4), who was 10th, 9¼ lengths back and Whitmore (8), who was 9th, also 9¼ lengths back.
AT 1 MILE
Creator (3) went from 11th to first in a quarter of a mile, weaving through traffic on the turn. Heading into the final furlong, Creator and Suddenbreakingnews (4), who was 6 wide into the lane, broke away from the pack and eventually finished 1-2. Dazzling Gem (7) Whitmore (8) were rallying with the top two.Creator, Suddenbreakingnews, Dazzling Gem and Whitmore were then heads apart. Cupid (10) went from 2nd to 10th at the mile mark. Gettysburg (12) was fifth at the point, but only 1¼ lengths behind.
AT THE FINISH
Creator (3), Suddenbreakingnews (3), Whitmore (8) all continued strong to the finish, with Creator winning by 1¼ lengths and and Suddenbreakingnews finishing 1½ lengths ahead of Whitmore. Dazzling Gem (7), who was the only horse close to the early pace to finish in the top four, was beaten by 4¾ lengths. Gettysburg (12) was another half length back in fifth. Cupid (10) was beaten 11¼ lengths.
Sports on 04/17/2016