Nikki'sgoldensteed Takes The Turf Paradise Derby

Lomas and Spencer's NIKKI'SGOLDENSTEED (Formal Gold) repelled a brief challenge from 6-5 favorite E Z Dreamer (In Excess [Ire]) and drew off to an impressive 5 3/4-length win in the $100,000 Turf Paradise Derby on Saturday. The talented three-year-old completed the 1 1/16-mile test in 1:42 4/5 to earn his initial stakes win.

Conditioned by Robert Hess Jr. and ridden by Jon Court, the gray colt improved to 6-2-1-1 with a bankroll of $106,036. The connections of the winner mentioned the $600,000 WinStar Derby at Sunland on March 16 or the $150,000 El Camino Real Derby (G3) on March 8 at Bay Meadows as the next possible option for the California-bred. In the previous race at Turf Paradise, Jon Court wired the field aboard BRIECAT (Adcat) in the $75,000 Arizona Oaks S. for trainer Vladimir Cerin. The sophomore filly completed one mile on the main surface in 1:37 to record her second consecutive win, improving her earnings to $67,014...