 Monarchos all alone at the finish of the Florida Derby. |
Dateline: 03/10/01
By: Terence Dulay
Fans were treated to a dazzling display by Monarchos, half of a heavily favored entry, in today's 50th renewal of the Florida Derby at Gulfstream Park. The race drew its largest field in seven years with 13 starters, several of which were serious contenders on the Triple Crown trail.
Sent off at 7-5 with entrymate Invisible Ink, Monarchos broke slowly and was in 11th place, 8 lengths back of pace-setter Trailthefox after half a mile who set the initial fractions of 23.01 and 46.82. Midway down the backstretch, jockey Jorge Chavez decided it was time to make his move to the front. Going six wide, Monarchos circled the field around the turn and by the quarter pole he had gained the lead from City Zip, who had set the 3/4 fraction in 1:11.47. Outofthebox, the 3.6-1 second choice, had been 7th early and made a five wide bid on the turn but he was no match for Monarchos who drew off in the stretch to win by 4 1/2 lengths. He completed the mile in 1:37.16 with a final time of 1:49.95 for the 1 1/8 mile distance. Stablemate Invisible Ink had been settled in 5th early on and put on a late rally to grab third place.
Jockey Chavez described the trip: "When I asked him, he just exploded. That was a great feeling, like I was the king. I know when I have horse and when I don't. I knew I had plenty of horse.`He has everything he needs to win the Kentucky Derby. I think he'll be one of the contenders."
Trainer John T. Ward said, "I thought he suffered from a little from fatigue, but he responded and finished well and that's what you like in a young horse." Monarchos will be sent to Churchill Downs where he will train up to the Wood Memorial on April 14 at Aqueduct. "I won't look to do much with him between now and his next race. I don't want him too overly prepared. The main goal is still the Kentucky Derby." added Ward.
Second-place finisher Outofthebox is expected to go to the Flamingo Stakes next, while Fountain of Youth winner Songandaprayer, sent off as the third choice at 4.8-1, was hung out wide the entire trip and never better than third and faded in the stretch to finish a disappointing fifth.
Pgm Horse Jockey Win Place Show 1A Monarchos Chavez 4.80 3.40 4.00 3 Outofthebox Bailey 3.80 3.00 1 Invisible Ink Velazquez 4.80 3.40 4.00 Winning Time: 1:49.95 $2 Exacta 1-3 154.60 $2 Trifecta 1-3-7 344.60 $2 Superfecta 1-3-7-8 1,296.80Results Chart from Equibase
Other prep race results:
Photo by Terence Dulay.
