Derby News

NEW ORLEANS, La.  – Michael and Doreen Tabor’s Circular Quay underlined his status among the leaders of 2007 Kentucky Derby aspirants with a clear, clean 2 1/4-length win in the 94th running of the $600,000 Grade II Louisiana Derby Saturday at Fair Grounds Race Course.

Justifying his role as the 8-5 favorite, the small chestnut son of 1995 Kentucky Derby winner Thunder Gulch, ridden by John Velazquez and conditioned by Todd Pletcher, came from last in the early going to take command mid-stretch and draw off steadily the rest of the way in the traditional showcase event of Fair Grounds’ meet.

The winner covered the mile and a sixteenth distance in 1:43.01, increased his career earnings to $1,147,434 with his fourth lifetime win from six starts, and paid $5.20, $3 and $2.20.

Ketchikan, who made the pace most of the way with early fractions of :23:61, :46.53, and 1:10.88, continued willingly to be clearly second best, finishing three lengths in front of Zanjero. Ketchikan paid $4.20 and $3.60, and Zanjero returned $4.20.

Circular Quay lost all chance in Fair Grounds’ Grade III Risen Star Feb. 10 when compromised at the top of the stretch.  However, in that final Louisiana Derby prep he recovered from the incident to finish a fast-closing fifth.

“Today, we finally got a good trip and we got it done,” said a relieved, smiling Velazquez. “That’s about all I can say.  We got a good trip and we got it done.”

Pletcher echoed those sentiments.

“He didn’t redeem himself so much as he just got a good trip today,” said Pletcher, Eclipse Award-winning trainer for the last three years straight.  “He was probably the best horse last time.  Thank goodness he came out of it OK.  Today, this was his natural running style – to come from the back of the pack with a late run.”

Runner-up Ketchikan, trained by New Orleanian Al Stall Jr. and ridden by Louisiana native Larry Melancon, was admirable in defeat.

“We had no plan to the first run,” said Melancon.  “I just wanted to get him to relax, but he was pulling me to the lead, so I let him go.  It took one of the best 3-year-olds in the country to run us down.”

Stall seemed to agree with some reservations.

“He ran off down the backstretch,” said Stall.  “He must have gotten a little cranked up.  I’m a little disappointed.  He’s been beautiful.  The talent is there – we’ve just got to re-direct it.”

Behind Zanjero were Imawildandcrazyguy, Birdbirdistheword, Liquidity, Slew’s Tizzy and Soaring By.

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