8/8/03
FOR RELEASE: IMMEDIATE
CONTACT: TAMARA PETTIT
DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC RELATIONS
304-387-8335(OFFICE)304-479-8097(CELL)
CHESTER, WV - Saturday, August 9 will mark the 31st running
of the West Virginia Derby as a field of 12 runners have been
entered from the 69 horses nominated. The 2003 field is one
of the deepest in West Virginia Derby history with five graded
stakes winners.
The most experienced contender of the bunch is Supah Blitz.
No other horse among this year’s Derby candidates has
raced as many times or in as many stake races as Supha Blitz.
In 38 career starts the three-year-old has posted four wins,
seven seconds, three thirds and a lifetime earnings of $485,330.
The Florida bred colt is no stranger to big time races. Earlier
this year he competed in the Fountain of Youth G1, Florida
Derby G1 and the Kentucky Derby G1.
Soto, an unbeaten colt, will try to make West Virginia Derby
history by becoming the first horse to keep his unblemished
record intact in the race. The colt broke his maiden by 1 ¼ lengths
at Delaware Park last September, won an allowance race at Pimlico
Race Course and then finished up his two-year-old campaign
winning the $200,000 Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes in November.
Due to a shin injury Soto sat out the beginning of 2003. He
returned in July winning in allowance company at Philadelphia
Park where he bested the field in a very fast time of 1:08
4/5.
Racing icon Bob Baffert, who finished 2nd in the 1999 West
Virginia Derby with American Spirit, will send Swaps Stakes
GII winner During post ward at Mountaineer only six days after
finishing last in the Jim Dandy G1. Don’t let the bad
race fool you. Figure in the Baffert factor along with Mountaineer
leading rider Dana Whitney, who won the West Virginia Derby
two years ago aboard Western Pride, and good things are bound
to happen.
Lone Star Sky, who was purchased for $190,000 as a two-year-old,
will make the trip to West Virginia. The Florida bred colt
has won three of his 13 career starts and finished second four
times.
Although he hasn’t won a race in 11 months the multiple
stakes winner, who has a lifetime earnings of $502,955, will
be ready to go on Derby day.
Dynever, unraced as a two-year-old will come to Mountaineer
after a fourth-place finish in the Belmont Stakes GI. The winner
of the Adventura Stakes at Gulfstream Park and Lone Star Derby
will retain the services of regular rider Edgar Prado for the
sixth time in as many starts.
Another good horse and rider combination is Outta Here and
Kent Desormeaux. Desormeaux has ridden Outa Here in eight of
his eleven career starts. It was Desormeaux who piloted the
colt to his maiden victory at Santa Anita las October, the
$500,000 Delta Downs Jackpot in December of last year and a
seventh place finish in this year’s Kentucky Derby. With
a “stalk the pace” running style and some very
sharp morning works this horse and jockey combo could be Outta
Here with a West Virginia Derby victory under their belts.
California shipper Coax Kid will make his first appearance
on the East of the Mississippi giving the 1 1/8 mile distance
a go.The West Coast runner has hit the board in five of his
six lifetime starts.
Colita, a Todd Pletcher trained colt has won half of his lifetime
starts, winning three out of six in his racing career. This
three-year-old showed a strong finish placing fourth in the
Gotham Stakes G111 in March and an allowance win at Belmont
in May.
Mobil will add some foreign flavor to this year’s Derby.
The Canadian speedster loves the 1 1/8 distance and has won
seven of his last eight starts.
Bred in Ontario, Mobil has raced exclusively at Woodbine. His
wins include a 5 ¾-length win The Toronto Cup Handicap
on July 12.
Jockey Jorge Chavez, who won last year’s West Virginia
Derby aboard Wiseman’s Ferry, another speed horse who
held off the closers for a big score, will ride Mobil.
Cat Singer, the Cleveland Gold Cup winner, will also look to
be in front when the gates open and the bell sounds.
Luis Palacios will send the Sir Cat colt to the Derby hoping
for an early lead and a fast finish.
The three-year-old colt has four wins, one second and one third
in seven career starts,
Rounding out the field are Miss Karry Thenews, a filly who
also ran in the Ohio Derby and finished last, and Dr. E. Claire,
who won a maiden special weight at Mountaineer in March.
Post time for the day’s racing card is 2 p.m. with the
West Virginia Derby post at 5:15 p.m.
|
