Dai Jin Wakes Up to Win German Derby

Overcoming a slow start, Dai Jin, with Olivier Peslier riding, launched a powerful run on the outside to blow past Ransom O'War and Storm Trooper to win the BMW Deutsches Derby (Ger-I) at Hamburg Sunday.

German trainer Andreas Schutz won the race for the fourth time as the W H Sport International-owned son of Peintre Celebre enjoyed a comfortable 1 1/4-length victory in the 20-horse classic. The final time for the 1 1/2 mile on a soft turf was 2:33.47.

After missing the break, Dai Jin, at 5-1, was far back in the pack through the opening mile and still 14th with a half-mile to go. Pesslier switched to the outside with three furlongs left and urged his mount along as they progressed to eighth in the straight before rallying strongly to take the lead 120 yards from the wire.

Ransom O'War, a W Lazy T Ltd. bred son of Red Ransom who is trained by Mark Johnston, was last after a mile and also swung to the outside to find his best stride, pressing the lead in the final furlong before giving way. He was 1 1/4 length in front of Storm Trooper, also trained by Schutz, the leading German conditioner. Storm Trooper led entering the straight, but tired.

New South Wales, ridden by Frankie Dettori, finished last.

Gestut Schlenderhan bred Dai Jin, who is out of Dawlah, by Shirley Heights, in Great Britain.