by K. T. Donovan

John Pendergast’s and Joe Johnson’s Tie Rod has demonstrated an affinity for his Turf Paradise base, so the three-year-old Old Topper gelding surprised few other than supporters of favored Gregorian Bay when he ran away with the $100,000 Turf Paradise Derby on Saturday at Turf Paradise.

Tie Rod maneuvered from the middle of the track to the rail in the short run to the first turn while R Big Stuff could not be contained and made a strong run at him, getting his head in front after a half in :46.39.

Tie Rod disposed of him easily and under constant right-hand urging while drifting off the rail, he lengthened his advantage to finish 2 3/4 lengths in front of Gregorian Way, completing the 1 1/6 miles in 1:43.91. Gregorian Way, the only colt in the nine-horse field, had a wide trip and finished 2 3/4 lengths in front of third-place finisher In to the West.

“I didn’t want the lead so early,” said winning jockey Juan Rivera. “But he didn’t want to wait any longer.”

With two victories from eight starts as a juvenile before winning both races this year, Tie Rod has been running without a break since his May debut at Canterbury Downs. In addition to winning the 5 1/2-furlong Brian Barenscheer Juvenile Stakes at that track in July, he won the Rattlesnake Stakes in his previous race at Turf Paradise on January 26. Overall, he has won four races in ten career starts, earning $129,470.

“The [Turf Paradise] Derby was the goal,” trainer Joe Johnson said. “As to his next start, I don’t know yet. Perhaps the Tempe Handicap on the grass [on March 24].”

Tie Rod was bred in California by Dawn Lucas from the Water Bank mare Oasis.

For an Equibase chart, click here.

K. T. Donovan is a Thoroughbred Times contributing writer