The top three in the July 8 $250,000 Iowa Derby (G3) came to the finish in a furious rush that resulted in a photo, claims of foul, and a stewards’ inquiry. When it was sorted out, there was a dead-heat between the two that hit the line first—One in Vermillion and How Did He Do That —followed by a change in order that made How Did He Do That the official winner.
Contact in the final sixteenth was initiated by One in Vermillion, who came out as Harry Hernandez repeatedly whipped left-handed, bumping How Did He Do That and causing that one to come out on third-place finisher Heroic Move .
One in Vermillion, who was placed second, set the pace through fractions of :23.22, :47.56, 1:11.84, lost the lead in the stretch, then fought back, perhaps too hard. How Did He Do That, a 48-1 shot who was winless since taking the Zia Park Juvenile Stakes in November for trainer Steve Asmussen, got the win.
“I watched the replays and I was thinking I know what he likes and we got it,” winning jockey Richard Eramia said.
The stewards, who came on the PA to explain their decision, also determined that the interference to Heroic Move that led to a jockey’s objection against the top two by Stewart Elliott did not cost him a placing.
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How Did He Do That improved his record to 3-1-0 from 11 starts. Owned by Kirk Robison and Judy Robison, the 3-year-old son of Good Magic out of Stormin Maggy (Storm Cat ) was bred in Kentucky by Stonestreet Thoroughbred Holdings.
Crypto Mo Takes Iowa Oaks, Gives Cindy Murphy Win 2,000
Two races earlier, locally based Crypto Mo led throughout to take the Iowa Oaks (G3) against shippers from Florida and Kentucky while giving 61-year-old jockey Cindy Murphy her 2,000th career Thoroughbred win. Last year Murphy was unseated and rolled over by Crypto Mo prior to the filly’s first start and was hospitalized with pelvic and rib injuries.
“I don’t hold it against her,” Murphy said. “She paid me back.”
Tonight, Crypto Mo was a professional, seizing the lead before the first turn and remaining in control throughout, completing the 1 1/16 miles in 1:44.16. Imonra was two lengths back in second, three lengths ahead of Stellar Lady in third.
“She felt pretty strong under me today so I just went with it,” said Murphy, who rode the 3-year-old Mohaymen filly for her husband, trainer Travis Murphy. “I usually go by feel and she felt like she wanted to run so I let her.
The winner, a chestnut out of Forty Winds (Forty Tales ), paid $9.60 while increasing her record to 4-0-1 from eight starts, earning $210,870 for owner/trainer Murphy and partners Matt Trent and Triple V Racing. Crypto Mo was bred in Kentucky by Buck Pond Farm.
Cindy Murphy first rode races in 1987 and her milestone win in the Iowa Oaks was her first graded stakes victory.
“It’s been a long journey,” Murphy said. “It’s probably taken me longer than anyone else to win 2,000 but I’m still here.”
Video: Iowa Oaks (G3)
