The win was the sixth lifetime for Check Him Out, and the colt's second stakes win. Now racing for owners Zory Kuzyk, John Andreini and Blane Schvaneveldt, Check Him Out increased his career earnings to more than $346,000 with the $87,276 winner's check from the Golden State Derby.
Jockey Sam Thompson knew if the Hennessy colt Check Him Out behaved in the gates and got a good start, he would win the grade 1 Golden State Derby on Aug. 17 at Los Alamitos. Thompson was right, as Check Him Out was a perfect gentleman before winning the $207,800 race for 3-year-old Quarter Horses.In the 400-yard Golden State Derby, Check Him Out broke cleanly and quickly from post position two. Trailing A Tac First through the first half of the race, Check Him Out overpowered that rival through the latter stages of the race to win by three-quarters of a length at the wire. The winning time of 19.67 seconds earned the colt a speed index of 97.
