NEWS
Yankee Bravo remains undefeated in California Derby
Posted: Sunday, January 27, 2008 8:09 PM
YANKEE BRAVO WINS AT GOLDEN GATE
Vassar Photography
by Jenny Blandford
Undefeated Yankee Bravo overcame traffic trouble entering the stretch with an explosive turn of foot en route to a one-length win in the $150,000 California Derby on Sunday at Golden Gate Fields.
The Yankee Gentleman colt began his career in England as a two-year-old with a six-length romp on turf at Redcar on September 6 for trainer Ann Duffield. Transferred to trainer Paddy Gallagher in California, Yankee Bravo closed his juvenile campaign with a half-length win in the one-mile Eddie Logan Stakes, also on grass, at Santa Anita Park on December 29.
Sent off as the 8-to-5 favorite his main-track debut, Yankee Bravo trailed the 12-horse field on the first turn as Victory Pete set the pace through an opening quarter in :24.48. Yankee Bravo and jockey Alex Solis gradually advanced along the inside as the field bunched up through a leisurely half-mile in :49.32.
As the field turned for home, Solis angled Yankee Bravo three wide behind heavy traffic. Yankee Bravo was steadied briefly by Solis entering the stretch but quickly responded when angled wide and unleashed a determined bid. Yankee Bravo accelerated clear in the final furlong and completed the 1 1/16-mile race in 1:44.57 on the all-weather Tapeta Footings surface.
Runner-up Café Tortoni advanced wide on the turn and also was steadied behind horses. Café Tortoni closed willingly when eased out but could not catch the leader, finishing a head in front of Victory Pete.
The first starter out of the unraced Royal Academy mare Vickey Jane, Yankee Bravo improved to three wins in as many starts and increased his earnings to $142,049.
For an Equibase chart, click here.
Jenny Blandford is a Thoroughbred Times assistant daily news editor
