Stall Hornoldendorf's Lucky Speed asserted himself nearing the finish line in the Sparda Deutsches Derby (Ger-I), or German Derby, and delivered trainer Peter Schiergen a fourth win in the classic July 7 at Hamburg.
Lucky Speed won by three-quarters of a length from French stakes winner Tres Blue in a thrilling finish, with Nordvulkan finishing a neck back in third and Quinzieme Monarque another neck behind in fourth.
Oppenheim Union-Rennen (Ger-II) winner Ivanhowe finished eighth as the 11-5 favorite with Racing Post.
Guided by Andrasch Starke, Lucky Speed was timed in 2:27.87 for 2,400 meters (about 1 1/2 miles) on turf rated as good.
Lucky Speed won for the third time in four career starts. Unraced as a juvenile, he captured his debut at Cologne April 1 and ran creditably in group competition April 28 next time out, finishing second in the Fruhjahrs-Pries des Bankhaus Metzler-Stadtrat Albert Von Metzler-Rennen (Ger-III) at Frankfurt. He came into the German Derby off a win in the Onextwo.com Bravarian Classic (Ger-III) May 26 at Munich.
Schiergen previously won the German Derby with Kamsin (2008), Schiaparelli (2006), and Boreal (2001). Starke has landed the race five times previously, including with Kamsin and Schiaparelli.
Lucky Speed is by leading South African sire Silvano, a 17-year-old son of Lomitas, who won the 2001 Arlington Million (gr. IT) and stands at Maine Chance Farms near Robertson, SA.
Bred in Germany by Gestut Hof Ittlingen, Lucky Speed is out of the winning Monsun mare Lysuna, who was group III-placed in Germany. Lucky Speed is a half brother to stakes-winning hurdler Lyvius and stakes-placed Lyssio. He was a €E46,000 purchase at the 2011 Baden-Badener Auktionsgesellschaft yearling sale.