Ferocious Won is eligible for a $250,000 bonus for the first-ever OTB Big Apple Triple Sweep after taking the $177,600 New York Derby for New York-bred 3-year-olds at Finger Lakes Gaming and Racetrack on Saturday. Ferocious Won can earn the bonus from the New York State Thoroughbred and Racing Program if he wins the $150,000 Albany Handicap at Saratoga Aug. 23. The chestnut colt posted a victory in the $100,000 Mike Lee Handicap at Belmont Park June 25 before winning the 34th renewal of the New York Derby Saturday as the 8-5 favorite in the field of eight. Jockey John Grabowski earned his 77th stakes victory aboard the chestnut colt by Lite the Fuse out of Shawklit Ruse, who covered the 1 1/16-mile distance in a time of 1:44.92. "He is for real," said Grabowski, "I think he'll win the New York Triple."The 45-year-old veteran jockey held the rail by using the early quickness of the Richard Dutrow Jr. trainee to press the early pace, then opened up a lead and held off a late charge from Shuffling Maddness by 1 3/4 lengths. "He responded real well when I got into him," said Grabowski. "He had plenty left in the tank."It was the fourth win in 11 starts for the $259,797 earner who is owned by Sanford Goldfarb, Ira Davis, Michael Glassberg, and William Vidro. Goldfarb bred Ferocious Won, who was the popular choice in the wagering and paid $5.30, $3.70, and $3.20. Shuffling Maddnes, ridden by Paul Nicol Jr., was second and returned $4.30 and $2.90. Fire One Up and John Davila Jr. ran evenly to be third and returned $4.30.
(Chart, Equibase)