Gayego Skips to Victory in Arkansas Derby

Cubanacan Stables' GAYEGO (Gilded Time) edged clear of early leader Tres Borrachos (Ecton Park) approaching the stretch and fought off a stern test from Z Fortune (Siphon [Brz]) late to eclipse the $1 million Arkansas Derby (G2) at Oaklawn Park on Saturday. The California invader, who went postward as the clear 2-1 favorite in here, broke well and was content to track the splits of :22 3/5 and :46 3/5 before commencing his sustained run around the far turn and down the lane under Mike Smith. Gayego had a new challenger in Z Fortune in midstretch but held off that runner by three-quarters of a length at the wire, completing the 1 1/8 miles over the fast oval in 1:49 3/5. The Paulo Lobo trainee paid $6.40, $4.40 and $3.80.

Z Fortune was always well placed while wide, moved four deep into the stretch and closed gamely to finish four lengths clear of his nearest pursuer. The nearly 7-1 fourth choice gave back $7.40 and $6 while finishing off the $22 exacta ($1). Tres Borrachos stayed on late after being passed by a trio of runners in the stretch to retain the show at nearly 38-1, paying $14.80 in the process. The $1 trifecta returned $503.60, and the $1 superfecta (4-10-2-11) yielded $5,534.20 with Indian Sun (Indian Charlie) in fourth at nearly 25-1.

My Pal Charlie (Indian Charlie) was next and followed by Isabull (Holy Bull); Blackberry Road (Gone West) and Golden Yank (Yankee Gentleman), who dead-heated for seventh; King's Silver Son (Mizzen Mast); Jazz in the Park (Ecton Park); Ablaze With Spirit (American Spirit); Liberty Bull (Holy Bull); and Shekinah (Johannesburg). Victory Pete (Five Star Day) was withdrawn.

Gayego was well meant in his debut in November, and he lived up to that billing with a three-length romp versus maiden foes at Hollywood Park. The dark bay colt was second in a subsequent allowance race and followed that up with a strong, off-the-pace, 2 3/4-length tally in the San Pedro S. Most recently, the Kentucky-bred fought gamely to be second in the San Felipe S. (G2). He boasts a 5-3-2-0 career mark while ballooning his earnings to $723,420.

The winner was bred by Hargus and Sandra Sexton and was purchased for the bargain price of $32,000 at the 2006 Keeneland September Yearling sale. He is out of the winning Devils Lake (Lost Code) and has an unraced two-year-old half-brother named Marquee Event (Marquetry) and an unnamed yearling half-brother by Sarava.