Mo Forza Steps Up to Win Twilight Derby
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Photo: Benoit Photo
Mo Forza wins the Twilight Derby at Santa Anita Park
Rank early but composed thereafter, trainer Peter Miller's longshot Mo Forza went from maiden winner to grade 2 winner in a little over a month Nov. 2 as he took the $202,106 Qatar Twilight Derby (G2T) at Santa Anita Park by 1 3/4 lengths. The 3-year-old colt by Uncle Mo ran 1 1/8 miles under Joel Rosario in 1:46.18 on firm turf.
Breaking from the far outside in a field of 11 sophomores, Mo Forza was rank as he came up to challenge pacesetter Kingly—who set fractions of 23.54, 47.32, and 1:11.16—in the run to the clubhouse turn. Rosario got him to settle into a tracking second position in the run up the backside, and he overtook Kingly a furlong out to draw off in impressive fashion.
"I just told Joel to get a position," Miller said. "There were one or two speeds, just sit behind the speed. The pace was a little slower than I thought, but he was loaded the whole way. The horse was throwing his head, but then Joel got him to settle."
A one-mile maiden turf winner in his sixth start, Mo Forza was off at 18-1 and paid $39.60, $17.60, and $8. The bay was bred in Kentucky by Barry and Diane Abrams' Bardy Farm and is out of the Unusual Heat mare Inflamed. He picked up $120,000 for the win, hiking his earnings to $199,460 for owners Bardy Farm and OG Boss.
"He was a little rank leaving the gate, but I had him in hand," said Rosario, who was aboard for the first time Saturday. "He was pulling, but not that bad. He relaxed really well on the first turn and settled into racing. This was a special win for me, since it was (former trainer) Barry Abrams. When I came down from Northern California, it was Barry who gave me my first opportunity, and I won for him."
Irish-bred Succeedandsurpass was extra game late, outrunning Neptune's Storm by a neck.