Southern Africa takes on overflow field in West Virginia
Derby
Grade 3 winner SOUTHERN AFRICA (Cape Town) heads an overflow field of 16 in
Sunday’s $750,000 West Virginia Derby (G3), the feature on a day that boasts an
all-stakes nine-race card worth $1.55 million at Mountaineer Park. The Mike Puhich-trained
sophomore will be returning to the main track in the 1 1/8-mile test after
trying his luck in the grassy Arlington Classic (G3) on July 2. He finished
seventh that day and will carry the highweight of 117 pounds on Sunday, most of which will be
taken up by Jon Court.
Among his rivals in the rich race is Prince of Wales S. hero ABLO (Lite the
Fuse), who denied third-place finisher Wild Desert (Wild Rush) a chance for the
Canadian Triple Crown by finishing a length ahead of the Queen’s Plate S.
winner. John Battaglia Memorial S. winner MAGNA GRADUATE (Honor Grades) is still
seeking his first Derby win after running second in the Ohio Derby (G2) and
third in the Illinois Derby (G2). GOLDEN MAN (Suave Prospect), who moved up from
the claiming ranks to place in three graded events, will also take his chances
here.
Southern Africa will break from the rail in the West Virginia Derby and to
his outside will be Ablo, Gerry Olguin, 115; DOVER DERE (Cherokee Run), Pat
Valenzuela, 111; BERNIE BLUE (Bernstein), Ricardo Feliciano, 111; Golden Man,
C.C. Lopez, 111; DEVILMENT (Peaks and Valleys), Carlos Marquez Jr., 113; REAL
DANDY (Yankee Victor), Mark Guidry, 111; Magna Graduate, Gary Stevens, 113;
PINPOINT (Peaks and Valleys), Larry Melancon, 113; SHAMOAN (Ire) (Monashee
Mountain), Jose Valdivia Jr., 115; ANTHONY J. (Tiger Ridge), Jose Velez Jr.,
111; and DIAMOND ISLE (Gilded Time), Edgar Prado, 111.
The also-eligibles in the field are SMOKESCREEN (Smoke Glacken), Mike Luzzi,
111; INDY STORM (A.P. Indy), no rider, 111; IT’S TIME TO SMILE (Ops Smile),
Scott Spieth, 111; and APACHE POINT (Royal Academy), no rider, 111.
Diamond Isle and Golden Man will be coupled, as will Pinpoint and Indy Storm,
if the latter draws in.
The nine-race card will start off with the $85,000
Mountaineer Juvenile Fillies S. and is comprised, in race order, of the
$85,000
West
Virginia Legislature Chairman’s Cup S., $85,000
West
Virginia Secretary of State S., $85,000
Mountaineer
Juvenile S., $125,000
West
Virginia Senate President’s Breeders’ Cup S., $125,000
Harvey
Arneault Memorial Breeders’ Cup H., $125,000
West
Virginia Governor’s S., West Virginia Derby and $85,000
West
Virginia House of Delegates Speaker’s Cup S.
Also set for Sunday, “Alex’s Lemonade Stand” will have a lemonade
booth set up in the apron area directly outside the south end of the grandstand
to raise money for pediatric cancer research. The booth will be open from 11
a.m. to 7 p.m. (EDT).