Derby News

Ravel made his stakes debut a winning one in Saturday's $101,500 Grade 3 Sham Stakes at Santa Anita. Garrett Gomez guided the colt past favored Liquidity in deep stretch to post a one-length victory over that more experienced rival.

The three-year-old son of 2000 Kentucky Derby winner Fusaichi Pegasus covered the 1 1/8 mile distance over a "fast" track in 1:48.91 and paid $7.20 to win as the 5-2 second-choice in the field of seven.

Ravel was content to settle behind the frontrunners in the early going after breaking from the rail post. Song of Navarone, a 26-1 longshot, led the bunched field through moderate fractions of :23.31 for the quarter-mile and :48.08 flat for the half-mile. Liquidity remained in hot pursuit of that leader before poking his nose in front approaching the three-quarter mile marker, clicking off that distance at 1:12.41. Ravel joined those two entering the stretch as that trio put six lengths on the rest of the field. Ravel grinded past Liquidity in the final stages of the race to win by a length.

Song of Navarone stayed on well to finish third, three lengths behind Liquidity. It was another six and a half lengths back to Kolo, who was followed under the wire by Silent Soul, Pirates Deputy, and Time Squared.

The win immediate vaults Ravel into the upper echelon of Kentucky Derby contenders. The Todd Pletcher trained colt's professional effort came in just his third career start and his first against winners. Ravel finished second in his career debut to graded stakes placed Teuflesberg before capturing his next start, a 1 1/16 mile maiden test at Hollywood Park, by 3 ½-lengths.

Ravel was purchased for $950,000 as a yearling in the Keeneland September sale by Michael Tabor and Derrick Smith. He boasts and impressive pedigree. His sire, Fusaichi Pegasus (Mr. Prospector), captured the 2000 Kentucky Derby and his dam, Let (A.P. Indy), finished fifth in the 1998 Kentucky Oaks.

Ravel is expected to be pointed to the Santa Anita Derby (GI) on April 7, in advance of the Kentucky Derby.

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