News
Misremebered Wins Indiana Derby
Misremembered and jockey Victor Espinosa claimed the title in the 15th running of the Grade II Indiana Derby Saturday, Oct. 3 at Hoosier Park Racing and Casino. The duo outlasted a late charge by Giant Oak and Eddie Razo Jr. to win the $500,000 event by one-half length in a new track record time of 1:40.3. The race was part of the richest day in Thoroughbred racing for the state of Indiana, boasting purses of nearly $1 million for the 13-race program.
Starting from post eight in the nine-horse lineup, Misremembered was not one of the first horses to be mentioned from the break. Weslinn and Ron Allen Jr. were the first pair to emerge to the lead, joined by Flat Bold and Corey Lanerie into the turn. Espinosa had Misremembered right off the leaders on the outside, stalking through the middle portions of the race.
Around the turn, Misremembered began to respond to urging from Espinosa and got his first lead of the race. However, in the stretch, he had to fend off Weslinn, who retook the lead from the inside. Misremembered pressed on and took control of the race. The only horse looking to track him down in the final strides was Giant Oak, moving from last to first for one final attempt to overtake the leader. Misremembered secured the win over Giant Oak. Karama and Victor Lebron moved in for third along the inside.
“I didn’t really break as well as I’d hoped, but I was able to just keep him relaxed and sit in position,” said Espinosa, who is one of the leading riders on the southern California circuit. “Heading into the turn, I started asking him for more and he responded. He’s a nice horse, and it’s easy to stick with a horse like this. I appreciate the opportunity to come out here to ride him.”
Misremembered is now a two-time Graded Stakes winner. The son of Candy Ride also won the Grade II $300,000 Swaps Stake at Hollywood Park earlier this year. Bred by trainer Bob Baffert, Misremembered is owned by Natalie Baffert and George Jacobs, who owns a pizza parlor on the West Coast.
“I’ve been in the business for about 10 years and this is the first time I’ve had a horse like this,” said Jacobs. “Bob (Baffert) raised him and sold me half of him. This sure makes the trip to Indiana a little better.”
Now four for seven lifetime, Misremembered doubled his career bankroll and toppled over the $500,000 mark for earnings. He was unraced last year at two.
Live racing continues at Hoosier Park Racing and Casino Wednesday through Sunday until Saturday, Oct. 24. Racing is held Wednesday and Thursday beginning at 4:45 p.m. Racing begins Friday, Saturday, and Sunday at 12:45 p.m.
Hoosier Park Racing and Casino in Anderson, Ind. is central Indiana’s premier entertainment destination, featuring 2,000 electronic gaming devices; Standardbred, Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse racing; and wholecard simulcasting. Hoosier Park Racing and Casino is a wholly owned property of Centaur Gaming, which also owns and operates Fortune Valley Hotel and Casino in Central City, Colo., and is working to develop Valley View Downs in western Pennsylvania. Hoosier Park also provides simulcast-wagering facilities in Indianapolis, Fort Wayne and Merrillville, Ind. For more information, visit www.hoosierpark.com.
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