Maryland's Done Talking, ridden by Sheldon Russell, burst through in a crowded field to win the $500,000 Grade III Illinois Derby on Saturday at Hawthorne Race Course.
Entering the far turn, 5-2 favorite Currency Swap began to move up taking over fifth behind the leader, 55-1 long shot Frankie Is Rock. Our Entourage (4-1) moved into second and took the lead coming off the final turn. At the top of the stretch, Our Entourage had the lead with 9-2 third choice Morgan's Guerrilla in second and the favorite racing third.
With a furlong to run Morgan's Guerrilla, ridden by Rosie Napravnik, had the lead while lugging to the outside. Between horses came Done Talking. Done Talking, trained by Hamilton Smith, was inside of Morgan's Guerrilla with about 100 yards to run.
Done Talking, 12-1 on the board, went past Morgan's Guerrilla and posted a three-quarter-length victory, returning $27.20, $10.80 and $6.60. Coming from the back of the field to finish third was Hakama, trained at Fair Hill by Mike Trombetta.
Ben's Cat 1st in Mister Diz
Reigning Maryland-bred Horse of the Year Ben's Cat captured his 10th stakes victory in the $75,000 Mister Diz Stakes at Pimlico Race Course.
Ben's Cat, with Horacio Karamanos aboard, beat Steady Warrior by a neck in 57.26 seconds, winning the Mister Diz for the third straight year (on Pimlico's main track last year and on grass at Laurel Park in 2010).
It was anything but an easy victory for Ben's Cat, trained by King Leatherbury. Steady Warrior was running clear before being overtaken in the last 40 yards. Ben's Cat paid $3.20.
Gemologist takes Wood
Gemologist, ridden by Javier Castellano, held off Withers Stakes winner Alpha to capture the $1 million Grade I Wood Memorial at Aqueduct. The 6-5 favorite covered the 11/8 miles in 1:50.96 on a fast track.
Gemologist, trained by Todd Pletcher, powered clear inside the furlong pole as Alpha took over second. With less than 100 yards to go, Alpha began to cut into the lead but came up a neck short at the wire.
Gemologist returned $4.40, $3.00 and $2.40. Teeth of the Dog finished third; Sagamore Farms' Tiger Walk was fourth.
'Another' wins Santa Anita
I'll Have Another held off 4-5 favorite Creative Cause to capture the $750,000 Grade I Santa Anita Derby for 3-year-olds. Ridden by Mario Gutierrez, the 4-1 second choice ran the 11/8 miles in 1:47.88 on a fast track.
Blueskiesnrainbows was third. I'll Have Another paid $10.20, $4.20 and $3.60.