NEWS
Wanna Runner convincing in WinStar Derby triumph
Posted: Saturday, April 01, 2006
Three-year-olds were on display Saturday at Sunland Park, and Mike Pegram's Wanna Runner had little trouble getting his first stakes victory with a dominating performance in the $600,000 WinStar Derby.
The chestnut gelding, with Victor Espinoza in the irons, stalked the early pace of Blaze It before charging to the lead turning for home and drawing away to a comfortable 4 3/4-length victory over stablemate Sky Diving. It was another 5 3/4-lengths back to third-place finisher Belligerence.
Wanna Runner crossed the finish line in the 1 1/8-mile contest ahead of the strung out field in 1:48.88.
It was the third stakes attempt for Wanna Runner, who started this year with a third place finish behind Brother Derek and Stevie Wonderboy in the San Rafael Stakes (G2) at Santa Anita Park, marking him as one of trainer Bob Baffert's Triple Crown contenders to watch. He then shipped to Bay Meadows where he was a disappointing fifth behind Cause to Believe in the El Camino Real Derby (G3).
The $300,000 winner's share of the WinStar Derby purse increased his career earnings to $381,950 with three wins from seven starts.
He is out of the Mt. Magazine mare Shebandowana.
For an Equibase chart, click here.
