To view the Super Derby, click here.
by Tim Nichols
Godolphin Racing’s Regal Ransom showed no rust on Saturday in his first start since the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (G1) as he cruised to victory in the $750,000 Super Derby (G2) at Louisiana Downs.
Ridden by Richard Migliore, the three-year-old Distorted Humor colt dictated the pace and then flashed an impressive turn of foot entering the stretch as he pulled away to a clear win. Migliore covered up on Regal Ransom approaching the finish as he won by a final margin of 1¼ lengths, completing 1 1/8 miles in 1:49.63 on a track rated as fast as the 1.30-to-1 favorite.
Regal Ransom thrust himself into the Triple Crown picture on March 28 after beating stablemate Desert Party in the S & M Al Naboodah Group United Arab Emirates Derby (UAE-G2) at Nad al Sheba Racecourse. Regal Ransom finished second to that opponent in the Gulf News United Arab Emirates Two Thousand Guineas (UAE-G3) and an allowance race prior to the UAE Derby.
The two horses were shipped to the U.S. from Dubai and made their next starts in the Kentucky Derby. Regal Ransom pressed the pace in second through six furlongs before giving way in the stretch and finishing eighth. Desert Party was never a factor and finished 14th of 19 starters.
In his first start since May 2, Regal Ransom led the field through a quarter-mile in :24.05, a half-mile in :49.03, and six furlongs in 1:13.11 as West Virginia Derby (G2) winner Soul Warrior raced in second. Entering the stretch, Regal Ransom left the field in his wake as he opened a four-length lead and coasted to victory.
Blame closed well to finish second, 3¼ lengths clear of third-place finisher Massone. Soul Warrior finished fourth.
The Super Derby was Migliore’s third win for Godolphin trainer Saeed bin Suroor. The veteran New York rider captured the Test Stakes (G1) on August 8 at Saratoga Race Course with Flashing for Godolphin and guided Midshipman to an allowance victory in the 2008 champion two-year-old male’s season debut on Friday.
Regal Ransom improved to three wins in seven career starts with earnings of $1,747,200 following the win. Bred in Kentucky, Regal Ransom is one of three winners from four starters out of the Red Ransom mare Kelli’s Ransom.
For an Equibase chart, click here.
Tim Nichols is internet content editor for Thoroughbred Times