Juddmonte homebred Dragoon Guard ‘s similarities to his sire transcend the bodily resemblance.
Regardless that the grey or roan colt has an extended technique to go earlier than his monitor report matches that of the late Arrogate, the 3-year-old reveals flashes of his sire.
The latest instance got here within the $500,000 West Virginia Derby (G3) at Mountaineer On line casino Racetrack & Resort Aug. 4.
From Arrogate’s ultimate crop, Dragoon Guard broke effectively and instantly moved to the entrance of the nine-horse discipline and by no means relented. In his first try at 1 1/8 miles, Dragoon Guard received in 1:49.96 on a quick monitor.
All 4 of his victories (4-1-0 from 5 begins) have concluded with multiple-length margins of victory. Sunday evening’s triumph was no completely different, crossing the wire 2 1/2 lengths forward of Dimatic . Society Man was third and Henro fourth.
Dragoon Guard elevated his profession earnings to $646,860.
The West Virginia Derby was an ideal follow-up to his Indiana Derby (G3) win.
“It was a stable efficiency,” stated coach Brad Cox, who received his first West Virginia Derby. “He took one other step ahead, and we’re very happy with him. We’re undecided concerning the future schedule for him. We’ll have to debate that with the proprietor.”
The one time the end result might need been doubtful got here as he approached the stretch. With Dragoon Guard operating two-wide, Society Man tried to sneak in alongside the rail however Geroux closed down the opening and sealed the victory.
Dragoon Guard paid $3.40 for the win.
Jockey Florent Geroux has been within the irons for all the colt’s begins.
“The plan was quite simple: Go straight to the lead,” Geroux stated. “Once I did ask him, he had lots to provide. He misplaced his first race however the final 4 had been good wins. To date, he has been superb, and this was one encouraging.”
Video: West Virginia Derby (G3)
West Virginia Governor’s Stakes
It was anybody’s race as 4 horses entered the stretch collectively, however a rail-skimming transfer by jockey Florent Geroux guided Hit Present to victory within the $200,000 West Virginia Governor’s Stakes (G3) at Mountaineer On line casino & Racetrack Resort.
Off because the second alternative in a seven-horse discipline, Hit Present discovered himself towards the tail of the sphere in fifth as Play Rooster lived as much as his title whereas setting fractions of :23.35, :46.93, and 1:11.63.
Because the pacesetter light and favored Additional Anejo , Komorebino Omoide , and the quick-closing Heroic Transfer swung broad, Geroux dove all the way down to the fence to make it 4 in a line on the head of the stretch.
Hit Present answered the decision and dug gamely alongside the within whereas Heroic Transfer dueled on the far outdoors. Hit Present edged away and the misplaced floor was an excessive amount of to make up for Heroic Transfer as he settled for second a couple of half-length behind. Komorebino Omoide was third and Additional Anejo light to fourth.
Hit Present paid $4.80 whereas successful in 1:42.65 for 1 1/16 miles.
A homebred for Gary and Mary West, the 4-year-old Sweet Journey colt out of the a number of graded stakes successful Tapit mare Actress earned his first stakes victory because the Withers Stakes (G3) in February 2023. Educated by Cox, Hit Present now holds a report of 5-1-0 from 12 begins for earnings of $778,955.
