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 Jermaine Bridgmohan celebrates aboard Prospective after the 2012 Ohio Derby |
The $100,000 Ohio Derby (G3) is the only graded stake run in Ohio, featuring 3-year-olds going 1 1/16 miles over the main track at Thistledown in Cleveland. After Swage was scratched by owner-trainer Donnie Von Hemel, just four went to post on Saturday afternoon under clear skies and temperatures in the low 90's. Prospective was sent off as the 3-5 favorite, shipping in from Woodbine where he won the Victoria Park Stakes last time out, after checking in 18th in the Kentucky Derby. In to challenge him were 3-2 second choice Politicallycorrect, third in the Easy Goer at Belmont, 5-1 Z Rockstar, third in the Prairie Mile at Prairie Meadows, and 15-1 longest shot Defiant Flier, seventh in the Prairie Mile.
Jockey Victor Santiago sent Politicallycorrect to the lead and he set fractions of 23.82, 48.62, and 1:12.44 over the fast track, while pressed by Z Rockstar early. Entering the lane, jockey Jermaine Bridgmohan came out for room and easily passed the pacesetters, taking over the lead at the 1/8 pole and drawing off to win by 2 1/2 lengths in 1:42.84. It was a long 8 3/4 lengths from Politicallycorrect to Z Rockstar, and another 8 1/2 lengths to Defiant Flier who trailed the whole way around.
Pgm Horse Jockey Win Place Show 1 Prospective Bridgmohan 3.20 2.10 - 2 Politicallycorrect Santiago 2.40 - 4 Z Rockstar Hill - Winning Time: 1:42.84 $2 Exacta 1-2 4.40 $2 Trifecta 1-2-4 6 00Results Chart |
Prospective in the winner's circle. Trainer Mark Casse said, "I think the race was won in the first turn, when Jermaine got the horse out. It looked like (Z Rockstar) was going to push him down inside, but Jermaine didn't let that happen. He pushed his way out on the first turn and I think that was the difference. He didn't let him get caught down inside." Jockey Jermaine Bridgmohan added, "I couldn't map it out myself any better and it worked out, I was right where I wanted to be."
Asked about future plans for Prospective, Casse said, "Mr. (John) Oxley and I talked about it and we'll probably send him to the Jim Dandy (G2). We think he'll prefer the track at Saratoga."
On the undercard, a field of 9 Ohio-bred two-year-olds contested the $50,000 Cleveland Kindergarten Stakes at 5 1/2 furlongs on the main track. Undefeated filly Significant Bling did not disappoint, stalking the pace set by Zambito, taking over the lead at the top of the lane and drawing off to win by 3 1/4 lengths over entrymate Blazing Bling in 1:05.88. It was another 2 lengths back to Pyrite Green third.
Winning jockey Deshawn Parker said, "She's a 2-year-old in her first season of racing, so she doesn't really know what she's doing yet, but she did everything right in this race. She's going to be a real monster." Trainer Tim Hamm added, "When you've got a nice, fast, young, 2-year-old, they're really easy to spot. You just let them roll out of there, and she's fast. She got away OK but not on top, and she laid right off of the pace. We practice that every morning, rating them, and it worked for her. We start that in September of their yearling year. We work on it all year long, and when you stretch them out a mile you hope it pays off. Deshawn got a perfect trip and she finished up."
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