GRAND PRAIRIE, Texas (Saturday, May 9, 2009) – Peachtree Stable’s Mythical Power, trained by Bob Baffert, proved to be much the best in the 13th running of the Grade 3, $400,000 Lone Star Derby over a fast track at Lone Star Park on Saturday.
With Victor Espinoza in the saddle, who teamed up with Baffert to win the Lone Star Derby in 2006 with Wanna Runner, the bay son of Congaree was able to get away to an alert beginning before settling in nicely behind dueling leaders through opening fractions of 23.68 and 47.47. When given his cue leaving the backstretch, Mythical Power reeled in the frontrunners around the far turn, and once he made the lead just outside the furlong marker, he drew away from his rivals with authority to stop the teletimer in 1:42.79 for the mile-and-a-sixteenth journey. It was 7-1/2 lengths back to longshot Red Lead in second and another 1-1/2 lengths back to Dumar in third.
“He’s a nice horse to ride with a lot of natural speed,” said winning jockey Victor Espinoza. “I rode him in his first start and I thought he was the type of horse who would like going longer. He’s still learning and has a lot of potential.”
With the $240,000 winners share of the Lone Star Derby purse, Mythical Power more than doubled his career earnings to $458,000, and in improving his record to two wins from five starts, he earned his first graded stakes victory and gave Baffert his third winner in the Lone Star Derby (Anet, 1997 and Wanna Runner, 2006.)
"I love coming here, win lose or draw,” said winning trainer Bob Baffert. “I’ve always loved this place. Everyone is so friendly. Mythical Power has really improved and I think you’re going to see bigger things from this horse.”
Mythical Power paid $4.20, $3.00, $2.40, runner-up Red Lead returned $21.20, $7.40, and Dumar paid $4.80 for show. Uno Mas, Cape Truth, Mayor Marv, and Galloping Gulch completed the order of finish.
Lone Star Park’s 2009 Spring Thoroughbred Season will run four days a week every Thursday and Friday at 6:35 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday at 1:35 p.m. starting on April 9. The Lone Star Million Day program on Memorial Day will start at 1:35 p.m. and special twilight programs with post-race holiday fireworks on Friday, July 3 and Saturday, July 4 (Lone Stars & Stripes Fireworks Celebration) will commence at 5 p.m. (All times are Central Time). For more information, visit LoneStarPark.com. Lone Star Park’s 31-day, 2009 Quarter Horse Fall Meeting of Champions will be held from Sept. 25 to Nov. 28.
- END -