Derby News

STICKNEY, Ill. (April 8, 2006) - Sweetnorthernsaint dominated his foes with a powerhouse stretch run to score a 9 1/4 length victory in Saturday's $500,000 Illinois Derby (GII) at Hawthorne Racecourse. The victory will send the son of Sweetnorthernsaint to Louisville as one of the top choices for the May 6 Kentucky Derby (GI).

Sweetnorthernsaint, the 6-5 favorite, was coming into the Illinois Derby off a game third-place finish in the Gotham (GIII) at Aqueduct last month. His jockey, Kent Desormeaux, who was aboard him for the first time in the Gotham, had indicated after that race that if he just need experience with the horse to get the optimum result.

Desormeaux was true to his word Saturday. Breaking from post 10, he sent the speedy colt from the gate, placing him second, a length off the lead of longshot Mister Triester. Sweetnorthernsaint was well within himself on the backstretch, and when Desormeaux asked him a bit on the turn, he pulled up on even terms with the leader. He put Mister Triester away at the top of the stretch, and drew away from that point. Desormeaux gave him a strong hand ride through the final furlong, but the competition was far behind. Mister Triester held on for second, a length in front of second choice Cause to Believe. Lewis Michael, Malameeze, Racketeer, My Golden Song, Creative Force, Itsallaboutthechase and Devilofarush completed the order of finish.

Desormeaux commented on the difference in his mount between the Gotham and today, "This horse improved leaps and bounds since the last time I rode him. Michael (Trombetta, the trainer) said don’t give up on him. He’s really a great horse and he strutted that stuff today." Speaking on Triple Crown, Desormeaux continued, "I’ll tell you right now, the Belmont would probably be the easiest thing for this horse. He’s going to enjoy distance. The mile and a quarter of the Kentucky Derby is the classic distance and I think it’s right between his eyes." Winning trainer Michael Trombetta talked Derby as well, "I hope we’re in Louisville four weeks from now. If he’s doing well, we’d love to be a part of it (The Derby). We’ll take him back to Maryland tomorrow (Sunday) morning."

The $300,000 winner’s share for the Illinois Derby gives him graded stakes earnings of $320,000 and career earnings of $377,000 for owners Joseph J. Balsamo & Ted Theos. His race record improved to three wins and a third from six starts. Sweetnorthernsaint's win prices returned $4.60, $3.20 and $3. Mister Triester paid $19 and $8. Cause to Believe paid $2.60. The $2 exacta was $80.60.

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