Papa Clem wore down even-money favorite Old Fashioned to win Saturday's $1 million Arkansas Derby and General Quarters upset the $750,000 Toyota Blue Grass at Keeneland, beating favorite Hold Me Back by 1/2 length, as the already complex Kentucky Derby picture acquired still more pixels.
Racing in mid-pack through most of the race under Rafael Bejarano, Papa Clem swung five-wide to challenge the pace-setting favorite, eased past him and went on to win by 1/2 length, finishing the 9 furlongs in 1:49.01. Old Fashioned held second, 3/4 length ahead of Summer Bird, who rallied from last. Win Willy finished fourth.
Trainer Gary Stute and Bejarano agreed the race did not play out as they anticipated.
"This horse was supposed to be on the lead," Bejarano said. "But after the break, he didn't show me much speed on the track. He was really relaxed." But, he added, "Every time he runs, he's getting better."
Stute said when Old Fashioned lost to Win Willy in the Rebel, "I knew we had a shot. I was going to go to the Illinois Derby, but why go for $500,000 when you might get a million?"
He added Papa Clem "just doesn't want to get beat. He has a ton of heart."
Papa Clem came from California to Arkansas to derail the Old Fashioned "express" in the Razorback State. After finishing second to Pioneerof the Nile in California, he finished second to Freisian Fire in the Louisiana Derby.
After the race, Old Fashioned was found to have a fractured knee which will require surgery.
"He's bearing weight on it," said trainer Larry Jones, who also handles Friesan Fire. "I don't foresee this being a life-threatening situation. He will live a very good life."
The Blue Grass provided another upset.
General Quarters, with Eibar Coa up for owner/trainer Thomas McCarthy, bided his time in the middle of the Blue Grass pack, came wide around the turn and then hit another gear, passing the early speed to take command. The Kentucky-bred son of Sky Mesa then held off Hold Me Back by 1 1/2 lengths.
Massone finished third as the 9 furlongs went in 1:49.26. Mafaaz, who earned a berth in the Kentucky Derby through this year's new English qualifier, was never a factor in the Blue Grass, finishing eighth. Theregoesjojo, a promising Derby prospect in Florida, faded badly on the all-weather surface to finish ninth.
McCarthy, a retired high school teacher from Louisville, Ky., claimed General Quarters last May for $20,000. He has won twice since then, the other victory coming in the Sam F. Davis at Tampa Bay Downs. He was fifth in the Tampa Bay Derby.
Asked if he ever thought he might have a Derby contender, McCarthy said: "I was hoping." General Quarters is his only horse in training.
"He trained like a champion all week," McCarthy said. "And after that breeze last week (5 furlongs in 58.2 seconds), I knew I had him right where I wanted him. I think he exhibited the tenacity to go on to the Derby."
Coa, who rode the colt for the first time, said he noticed General Quarters had traffic problems in the Tampa Bay Derby. "Mr. McCarthy told me just to run his race. 'Without traffic, I know he is going to show up today,'" he quoted the owner/trainer as saying.
Kentucky Oaks
Dream Play led from gate to wire in Saturday's $150,000 Comely Stakes at Aqueduct, finishing 5 1/2 lengths ahead of runner-up Don't Forget Gil. Holdontoyourdream finished third. Dream Play, a Kentucky-bred daughter of Hennessey, ran the 1 mile on a sloppy inner track in 1:39.51 under Eddie Castro. Her connection said she will bypass Churchill Downs and run at Belmont Park on Kentucky Derby Day.
In other weekend racing:
Keeneland
Forever Together rallied from well back to win Saturday's $200,000 Jenny Wiley Stakes for fillies and mares by 1 length over Rutherienne. Kiss With a Twist finished third. Forever Together, a 5-year-old, Kentucky-bred mare by Belong to Me, ran the 1 1/16 miles on good turf in 1:46.93 under Julien Leparoux.
Eternal Star rallied down the stretch to post a mild upset in Saturday's $250,000 Commonwealth Stakes, beating favorite Rebellion by 3/4 length. My Pal Charlie was third. Eternal Star, a 5-year-old, Kentucky-bred son of Five Star Day, ran the 7 furlongs on the all-weather track in 1:21.17 with Eibar Coa up for trainer Michael Trombetta.
Heros Reward, Cannonball and Chamberlain Bridge duked it out to the wire in Saturday's $100,000 Shakertown Stakes before finishing in that order, separated by a pair of heads. Heros Reward, a 7-year-old, Maryland-bred gelding, came five-wide into the stretch and wore down the leaders to get there first, finishing 5 1/2 furlongs on good turf in 1:04.24 with Javier Castellano in the irons.
Mr. Sidney took charge at the top of the stretch in Friday's $300,000 Maker's Mark Mile and then held off the late charge of Passager to win by 1/2 length. Just As Well was third and the favorite, Thorn Song, finished last of six. Mr. Sidney, a 5-year-old, Kentucky-bred son of Storm Cat, finished in 1:41.84 over yielding turf with Kent Desormeaux riding for trainer Bill Mott.
Oaklawn Park
Dance Caller led all the way to upset favorite Uno Mas in Saturday's $75,000 Northern Spur Stakes for 3-year-olds, scoring by 1 1/4 lengths. Fufty Too was third. Dance Caller, a Florida-bred son of Concorde's Tune, ran the 1 mile on a fast track in 1:37.64 under Larry Sterling Jr.
Payton d'Oro took the lead three-wide turning for home in Saturday's $75,000 Instant Racing Stakes for 3-year-old fillies and opened up in the stretch, winning by 4 3/4 lengths, ridden out. Mindy Sue and Peach Brew rounded out a rhyming trifecta. Payton d'Oro, a Kentucky-bred filly by Medaglia d'Oro, ran the 1 mile in 1:37.82 under Terry Thompson.
Santa Anita
Battle of Hastings conceded the early advantage in Saturday's $100,000 La Puente Stakes for 3-year-olds, then won the war with a late run that carried him to a 1 1/4-lengths victory over Smokey Lonesome. Wall Street Wonder was third. Battle of Hastings, a British-bred son of Royal Applause, ran the 1 mile on firm turf in 1:34.38 under Tyler Baze.
Woodbine
El Brujo, the odds-on favorite, lived up to his reputation in Saturday's $150,000 (Canadian) Achievement Stakes for 3-year-olds, drawing off easily down the stretch to win by 8 3/4 lengths over My Bad. Bucephalus (also the name of Alexander the Great's horse) was third. El Brujo, an Ontario-bred son of Candy Ride, ran the 6 furlongs on the all-weather track in 1:09.21 under Patrick Husbands.
