Nine 3-year-olds will go to postward in the 13th running of the $500,000-added Indiana Derby (gr. II) at Hoosier Park. Scheduled as the ninth race on the 12-race card Oct. 6, the estimated post time for the Derby is 9:50 p.m. EDT.
Heading the list of entrants for this year’s event is Medici Code from the California circuit. Trained by Darrell Vienna, Medici Code, who is five-for-seven in 2007, has drawn post nine. He will enter the Derby off victories in the Aug. 11 La Jolla Handicap (gr. IIT) and the Sept. 2 Del Mar Derby (gr. IIT) at Del Mar.
The Medicean English-bred gelding raced his first six starts on his native soil before being shipped to the United States this spring. Selected as the early morning-line favorite at odds of 5-2, he will be ridden by Martin Pedroza, who is looking for his third straight victory aboard the gelding.
Owned by Herrick Racing, Medici Code will be making his first start at Hoosier Park and his second start on dirt. In his previous dirt attempt, the gelding finished sixth in the April 7 Santa Anita Derby (gr. I), which marked his North American debut.
Joining Medici Code as one of the favorites is Zanjero from the barn of Steve Asmussen. The Cherokee Run colt finished unplaced in this year's Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I), but hit the board in his next three races, including a victory in the Aug. 4 West Virginia Derby (gr. III) at Mountaineer Race Track and Gaming Resort.
With more than $870,000 in career earnings, Zanjero is the richest colt of the field. Owned by Winchell Thoroughbreds, he will be ridden by Robby Albarado, two-time winner of the Indiana Derby, at odds of 7-2.
Providing some additional competition are other 2007 graded stakes winners Bwana Bull and Slew's Tizzy. Rounding out the field are Sedgefield, who will be making his first start since finishing fifth in the Kentucky Derby; stakes winner Longley; and allowance victors Stonehouse, Flashstorm, and Squeaky Rich.
Indiana Derby (gr. II), $500,000, Oct. 6, 3-year-olds, 1 1/16 miles, 9:50 p.m. EDT
PP. Horse, Weight, Jockey
1. Bwana Bull, 124, Rafael Bejarano
2. Zanjero, 124, Robby Albarado
3. Slew's Tizzy, 124, Calvin Borel
4. Stonehouse, 117, Earlie Fires
5. Flashtown, 121, Terry Thompson
6. Sedgefield, 115, Julien Leparoux
7. Squeaky Rich, 119, Thomas L. Pompell
8. Longley, 121, John Velazquez
9. Medici Code, 124, Martin Pedroza