The West Virginia Derby (G3) has had a reputation for being difficult for horses who have run in Triple Crown events. But that notion is being dispelled.
Winchell Thoroughbreds homebred Red Route One rallied in the stretch, blowing past West Coast Cowboy and One in Vermillion , who finished second and third, respectively, near the eighth pole to take the $500,000 1 1/8-mile challenge at Mountaineer Casino Racetrack & Resort in 1:49.49.
RED ROUTE ONE ($9.80) flew down the lane to take the $500,000 West Virginia Derby (G3) at @mtrgaming. Trained by Steven Asmussen and ridden by @cristiantorr64. This 3-year-old colt was by @Three_Chimneys‘ Gun Runner. Congrats to the connections! 🏆 pic.twitter.com/hU7eORd6hN
— TVG (@TVG) August 7, 2023
Red Route One is the second consecutive Triple Crown participant in as many years to win the race joining Skippylongstocking . Since 2003, there have now been five Triple Crown runners to win the West Virginia Derby.
One in Vermillion got out of the gate strong, holding the field at bay through the first half mile. But West Coast Cowboy and jockey Tyler Conner saw their chance to take the lead around the far turn. Favored Raise Cain made a late bid but didn’t have enough to sustain it down the stretch. Another well-known runner, Lord Miles , was never a factor.
But for jockey Cristian Torres and Red Route One, falling behind 15 lengths a quarter mile in was just a temporary inconvenience, quickly making up ground over the next half mile. While West Coast Cowboy was busy confronting One in Vermillion, Red Route One and Torres focused on the horse in front of them.
One by one, they put another runner in their rear. Going five wide turning down the stretch, Torres pulled in closer to the leading rivals, going side by side but only for a moment. No sooner were the three leaders even had Red Route One pulled away for a three-length win.
The win is also the sixth victory for trainer Steve Asmussen who last won the race in 2014 with Tapiture.
By Gun Runner and out of the Tapit mare Red House, Red Route One improved his record to 3-2-1 from 12 starts. The win also moved him above the $1 million in earnings threshold. The 3-year-old has banked $1,045,025.
A $2 win ticket paid $9.80.
Canadian Invader Duke of Love Braves West Virginia Governors’ Stakes Score
Duke of Love had been winless since taking the 2022 Prince of Wales Stakes in his native Canada. Lured south of the border for the $200,000 West Virginia Governors’s Stakes (G3), the Josie Carroll trainee didn’t disappoint, prevailing in a heated duel down the stretch for the victory Aug. 6 at Mountaineer Casino Racetrack & Resort.
Owned by My Racehorse.com, Duke of Love tracked the pacesetters early under jockey Luis Contreras behind fractions of :23.22 and :47. The 4-year-old Cupid colt put away the frontrunners turning for home before holding off a stiff challenge from Surly Furious all the way to the wire.
Duke of Love ($19) prevailed by three-quarters of a length in a final time of 1:42.39 for the 1 1/16 miles on a fast main track. Surly Furious was second over favored O’Connor .
Ontario-bred Duke of Luke improved his bankroll to $443,817 with his second stakes tally.
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