by Ron Parker

Bold Hawk split rivals in the stretch and collared favorite Twilight Meteor late to win the $250,000 Hawthorne Derby (G3) by a head on Saturday at Hawthorne Race Course.

Eleven three-year-olds started in the 1 1/8-mile turf contest, with Voy Por Uno Mas and Ghazi Up battling for the early lead.

Down the backstretch, Voy Por Uno Mas shook free to gain command while jockey Jean-Luc Samyn had Bold Hawk near the rail in eighth position.

Voy Por Uno Mas raced into the stretch with a one-length lead, but a wall of late runners were uncoiling their bids

Bold Hawk was also moving up while still near the rail but was caught in traffic as Twilight Meteor took the lead. Samyn angled the Silver Hawk gelding out slightly looking for a seam, squeezed between horses, and set out after the leader, catching him as the wire came up.

Bold Hawk, who was making his stakes debut in the Hawthorne Derby, stopped the timer in 1:47.45 on the firm turf course. Twilight Meteor finished 1 ¾ lengths to the good of third- place finisher Western Prize.

Unraced at two, trainer James Toner sent Bold Hawk to Chicago after an allowance victory at Belmont Park on September 23.
 
Bred in Kentucky by Phillips Racing Partnership, the bay improved to three wins in five lifetime starts and boosted his earnings to $213,376. He is out of the Danzig mare Tribulation and is a full brother to English stakes winner Coshocton.

For an Equibase chart, click here.

Ron Parker is a Thoroughbred Times contributing writer