Liberty Bull Wins WinStar Derby at Sunland Park
Sent off as a narrow second choice in a field of 9, Liberty Bull, ridden by jockey Gerard Melancon, won the $600,000 WinStar Derby at Sunland Park Sunday, March 16.
The WinStar Derby, still trying to become a graded race to enhance its reputation on the road to the Kentucky Derby, is the world’s richest ungraded stakes race. Being an ungraded race means Liberty Bull’s WinStar Derby winning share of $300,000 will not be counted toward the colt’s qualification for the 2008 Kentucky Derby (gr. I) should that race have more than 20 Kentucky Derby entries for starting spots.
Trained by Tom Amoss for owner Kenneth Maier, the gray son of Holy Bull, Liberty Bull, covered 1 1/8 miles in 1:49.82 and paid $8, $4.60 and $2.80. Coming in two lenghts behind, Screen to Screen, with jockey Aaron Gryder aboard returned $8.20 and $6. A neck behind the runner-up, Ablaze With Spirit under jockey Garrett Gomez paid $2.80 to show.
Purchased for $30,000 in the Ocala Breeders Sale Company last April, Liberty Bull earned two stakes victories including the Smarty Jones last January at Oaklawn Park. The newly crowned WinStar Derby champ has a record of 3-2-1 from 6 starts. His career bankroll stands at $403,592.
Other 3-year-old horses that raced in Sunland Park’s WinStar Derby: No Jepordy, Deputyville, Cape Time, Poni Colada, Banker’s Way and Winsome Charm. Capetown Royal was scratched.
"Liberty Bull Wins WinStar Derby at Sunland Park" was posted on 16 March 2008 10:00 PM under Horse Racing News, Horses, Stakes Races
10% Instant Bonus, Free & Fast Payouts
Up to 60% Racebook Deposit Bonus +5% Weekly Horse Betting Rebate
Get Reward Points For Free Bets