Good Reward captures Hollywood Derby
Ogden Mills Phipps’ homebred GOOD REWARD (Storm Cat) raced in
midpack for much of Sunday’s $500,000 Hollywood Derby
(G1), but
was in front where it mattered — at the wire. With jockey Jerry
Bailey holding the reins, the Shug McGaughey-trained bay was a
half-length up on Fast and Furious (Fr) (Singspiel [Ire]) and
stopped the clock in 2:01 2/5 for 1 1/4 miles on the firm turf.
Big Squeeze (Petionville) led the field of 13 through the
first half in :22 3/5 and :47 1/5, but couldn’t hold off Laura’s
Lucky Boy (Theatrical [Ire]) on the backstretch. That one started
pulling away on the second turn while setting splits of 1:12 1/5
and 1:37, but a wall of horses was waiting to engulf him in the
stretch run. One of those was Good Reward, who proved best
despite being bumped past the eighth pole.
That bumping incident, which also involved the second- and
third-place finishers, triggered a stewards inquiry, but no
change was made.
Good Reward was just that to his backers, paying out $34.20, $13.60
and $10.20 at 16-1 while keying the $88.70 exacta ($1), $1,151.60
trifecta ($1) and $14,300.80 superfecta ($1) (5-11-13-4). Fast
and Furious lived up to his name with a furious late charge, but
couldn’t get to the winner in time. He gave back $5.60 and $4.80
at 4-1, and it was another length back to Imperialism (Langfuhr),
who returned $5.80 at 7-1.
Whilly (Ire) (Sri Pekan) came next and was followed by Laura’s
Lucky Boy, Hendrix (Sultry Song), Timo (El Prado [Ire]),
Joursanvault (Fr) (Verglas [Ire]), 9-5 favorite Blackdoun (Fr) (Verglas
[Ire]), Fight Club (Ger) (Lavirco), On the Acorn (GB) (Inchinor [GB]),
Big Squeeze and Terroplane (Fr) (Verglas [Ire]).
Good Reward scored in the Storm Cat S. at Keeneland prior to
Sunday’s victory and also shows placings in the National Museum
of Racing Hall of Fame H. (G2) and Mac Diarmida S. From a 12-4-1-2
mark the sophomore has earned $477,353.
Bred in Kentucky, Good Reward is out of the 1994 champion
three-year-old filly, Heavenly Prize (Seeking the Gold), who
scored in eight Grade 1s, including the Alabama S. (G1) and
Gazelle H. (G1), as well as ran second in the 1994 and 1995
editions of the Breeders’ Cup Distaff (G1). He counts Grade 2
winner Pure Prize and an unnamed 2004 colt as full brothers.