Photo By: Benoit

Castledale, foreground, edges out Rock Hard Ten in a thrilling renewal of the Santa Anita Derby (GI).

(April 3, 2004) - Castledale (IRE), going off at 30-1, continued a string of upset finishes in this year's road to the Kentucky Derby; taking Saturday's 1 1/8 miles Santa Anita Derby (GI) after surviving his rider losing his whip and a three-horse inquiry regarding an incident near the wire.

The race looked to be a wide open affair, with nearly all seven runners given some chance for the win. Castledale and eventual last-place finisher were the only two in the field at odds of greater than 10-1. Castledale was making only his second start on the dirt, and third overall, for trainer Jeff Mullins. Previously, he had been running exclusively on the grass in Ireland, where he won a listed stake as a two-year-old.

Mullins was hesitant about running the son of Peintre Celebre in the west coast's top Derby prep, but decided to enter after his colt worked six furlongs in a bullet 1:11.80 March 25. The race set up well for the winner, as he broke a bit tardy, and settled into sixth, ahead of only Imperialism after a half mile. Meanwhile, Quintons Gold Rush and Lucky Pulpit were dueling through very fast fractions of :22.87 for 1/4 mile and :46.84 for the half, with Rock Hard Ten racing just behind in third. The field bunched up around the turn, with Rock Hard Ten going four-wide to join the leaders; Wimbledon moved up between the top three in fourth; and Castledale and Imperialism also beginning to launch their bids.

Castledale was widest of all in the stretch, with Rock Hard Ten just to his inside, and Quintons Gold Rush hanging on gamely. Imperialism went around the quickly fading Lucky Pulpit, and seemed to have aim on the two leaders. Just inside the 1/16 mile pole, Castledale and Rock Hard Ten drifted in towards the rail, causing Imperialism to take up sharply. Castledale hit the wire a head in front of Rock Hard Ten, with Imperialism two lengths back in third. Quintons Gold Rush finished another length back in fourth.

The inquiry light went up almost immediately, with the top three numbers blinking on the tote board. Victor Espinoza, aboard Imperialism, claimed foul on Rock Hard Ten, saying he had caused his mount to check sharply. David Flores, on Rock Hard Ten, claimed foul against Castledale and jockey Jose Valdivia, Jr., saying the winner had forced him into Imperialism's path. Following a lengthy discussion, the stewards ruled against Rock Hard Ten, moving him to third and Imperialism to second, leaving Castledale's finish unchanged.

After Quintons Gold Rush, Wimbledon, St Averil, the 2-1 race favorite, and Lucky Pulpit completed the order of finish.

Castledale, owned by a partnership of Knee and TVG Analyst Frank Lyons, earned $450,000 for the victory. He runs his lifetime mark to 3-4-1 from ten starts. At 30-1, the second longest shot on the board paid $62.00, $17.00, and $5.60. Imperialism's place was worth $5.80 and $3.80. Rock Hard Ten paid $4.00 to show. The $2 exacta returned a healthy $314.80.

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