Distorted Dave’s triumph in a $48,400 allowance race at Santa Anita March 26 (VIDEO) has trainer John Sadler thinking of the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) with the Distorted Humor colt.
“We’re going to try to backdoor our way into the Derby by running in the Coolmore at Keeneland,” Sadler said afterward in reference to the $300,000 Coolmore Lexington Stakes (gr. II) April 17.
Nominated to the Triple Crown races, Distorted Dave, at 4-1, gave evidence of his budding potential by overhauling the two favorites, Indian Firewater and Big Man Has a Sign, in mid-stretch and drawing off to win the 1 1/16-mile race by 4 1/4 lengths in 1:43.16. He was ridden by Joel Rosario. It was the second victory in four starts for Distorted Dave, who had chased Indian Firewater in his two previous outings.
“He improved a lot in his last race,” Sadler said. “He finished real strong. We felt he was coming into his own going into this race.”
Owned by Highfield Stock Farm and Stephen E. Johnson, Distorted Dave earned $28,800 in his recent effort to bring his total income to $59,040. He will need to add to his graded earnings in the April 17 event at Lexington to be considered for the Kentucky Derby.