Peachtree Stable's homebred Mythical Power, runner-up in the Sunland Derby most recently, took over at the top of the lane under Victor Espinoza and drew off for a resounding, 7 1/2-length victory in the $400,000 Lone Star Derby (gr. III) (VIDEO) May 9.
It was the second win in the last three starts for Mythical Power, who broke his maiden March 6 at Santa Anita in his third try. The son of Congaree --School for Scandal, by Is It True is trained by Bob Baffert. This was the bay colt's first stakes win.
Sent of as the even-money favorite in a field of seven 3-year-olds, Mythical Power stopped the clock in 1:42.79 for 1 1/16 miles over Lone Star’s main track. Longshot Red Lead, who led at the quarter-pole, stayed on gamely for runner-up under Eddie Martin Jr., 1 1/2 lengths better than third-place Dumar.
Mayor Marv, Baffert's other entry, set the early pace by clicking off moderate fractions of :23.68 and :47.47 with David Flores aboard. Red Lead stayed right on the leader’s heels through the backstretch, while Mythical Power raced in third.
Mythical Power inched closer to the front-runners around the far turn and it was not long after they straightened away that he took over from Red Lead, extending his advantage with every stride.
“He’s a nice horse to ride with a lot of natural speed,” said Espinoza. “I rode him in his first start and I thought he was the type of horse who would like going longer. He’s still learning and has a lot of potential.”
Now 2-2-1 from five starts, Kentucky-bred Mythical Power has earned $458,000.
In the March 29 Sunland Derby, his stakes debut, Mythical Power rallied nicely under Garrett Gomez before missing to Kelly Leak by 1 1/2 lengths. Eventual Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) winner Mine That Bird was fourth in that race.
"Mythical Power has really improved and I think you’re going to see bigger things from this horse," said Baffert, who won his third Lone Star Derby.
The winner paid $4.20, $3, and $2.40. The exacta (7-4) with 36-1 Red Lead returned $103.60 and the trifecta (7-4-6) was $570.
Uno Mas was fourth, followed by Cape Truth, Mayor Marv and Galloping Gulch.