Making just his second start on dirt, Blahut Racing et al’s KELLY LEAK
(Runaway Groom) benefited from a fast pace in Sunday’s $900,000
Sunland
Derby, ranging up four-wide passing the quarter-pole and drawing off through
the lane to register a 1 1/2-length victory under Mike Smith in a time of 1:50
for nine furlongs over the fast track. The 2-1 favorite in a field of 12, Kelly
Leak returned $6.60, $4 and $3.40.
The wicked pace was provided by Santamonicacanyon (Soto) and Mayor Marv
(Distorted Humor), who fought through fractions of :22, :45 1/4 and 1:10.
Santamonicacanyon proved to have more staying power than Mayor Marv, who began
to back out nearing the quarter-pole, but at that point both Mine That Bird (Birdstone)
and Kelly Leak, who was seventh in the early stages, had swept into contention
outside the leading pair. Kelly Leak was going the better of the two through the
lane as Mine That Bird hung and was eventually passed by Mythical Power (Congaree)
and Scorewithcater (Even the Score).
Mythical Power, the 6-1 fourth choice, finished 1 1/2 lengths clear in second
and returned $7.20 and $4.80, while Scorewithcater edged Mine That Bird by a
neck for third at 14-1. Scorewithcater paid $5.80. The $1 exotics were worth
$23.10 (exacta), $175.70 (trifecta) and $1,364 (8-7-6-9 superfecta).
The order of finish was rounded out by Advice (Chapel Royal), Dumar (Maria’s
Mon), Mark S the Cooler (Johar), Santamonicacanyon, Infernal (Sir Cherokee),
Smokin’ Legend (Smoke Glacken), Mayor Marv and Valid Stripes (Valid
Expectations).
Trained by Michael Machowsky, Kelly Leak won at first asking last June at
Hollywood Park, then gained notoriety finishing first by a nose in the Best Pal
S. (G3) at Del Mar. That result was overturned when Kelly Leak was found to have
drifted at the top during the stretch run, causing interference. Disqualified to
fourth that day, he returned in the Del Mar Futurity (G1) but was well beaten
after setting the pace. Kelly Leak next moved to the turf, finishing second
against
allowance/optional claiming company, then occupied the same position in the
Eddie Logan S. at Santa Anita. Third in the Sunshine Millions Dash in his dirt
debut at Gulfstream two back, Kelly Leak finally returned to the winner’s circle
last out with a turf allowance score at Santa Anita.
With this victory, Kelly Leak has now earned $621,890 from a line of 8-3-2-1.
Bred in Florida by Luis de Hechavarria, Kelly Leak was a $110,000 OBS March
Two-Year-Old in Training Sale purchase. He is out of the World Appeal mare Hasty
Appeal, who is also responsible for Grade 3 winner Dr. Park (Honor Grades), the
unraced two-year-old colt Privilaged (Southern Image) and a yearling filly by
Exchange Rate. Kelly Leak’s third dam is Smart Deb (Dedicate), the champion
two-year-old filly of 1962. This is the family of Canadian champion juvenile
Truth of it All (Proud Truth) and multiple Grade 1 winner I Ain’t Bluffing (Pine
Bluff).