Straight Up G Wires Mine That Bird Derby Field

Jungle Racing's homebred Straight Up G  had never stepped foot outside of California, or even faced open company, before the Feb. 27 $100,000 Mine That Bird Derby at Sunland Park. The son of Straight Fire  , however, had no problem overcoming such obstacles with a frontrunning score in the 1 1/16-mile contest for sophomores Sunday afternoon.

Bet down as the even-money favorite, Straight Up G rocketed to the lead and sizzled off early fractions of :23.79 and :46.88. As Classic Moment  and Bye Bye Bobby  gave chase into the far turn, Straight Up G responded willingly under regular rider Ricardo Gonzalez, widening his advantage at the top of the lane and holding off his rivals by 3/4 of a length under the wire.

Bye Bye Bobby and Classic Moment, both of whom had caught second winds down the stretch and were gaining on the winner in the final stages, settled for second and third.

"I'm really proud of the way he ran," said owner Jim Rome of Jungle Racing. "We wanted to see how he would run outside of California, we wanted to try some open competition and see how he would measure up. And boy did he step up. He broke well, he wanted to up front, and he showed me a lot of heart."

Straight Up G stopped the timer in 1:42.96 for the 1 1/16-miles on a fast main track. He increased his earnings to $203,660 and earned his second stakes win, having also captured the King Glorious Stakes at Los Alamitos Race Course in December.

Though the Mine That Bird Derby is worth no points on the Road to the Kentucky Derby, it serves as a crucial local prep race to the $600,000 Sunland Park Derby March 27, which is worth 50 points to the winner.

"He has so much natural speed," said trainer Richard Baltas. "I told Ricky (Gonzalez) he didn't have to have the lead but the horse just took him there. He showed a lot of power today. We sent him out of town because we have a nice 3-year-old and we wanted to see where we're at. It's always a test and he passed his test."

Bred in California, Straight Up is the third foal out of the winning Sky Mesa mare Gidget Girl, who was also campaigned by Rome. She has a yearling colt by Fast Anna  and was bred to Collected   for 2022.

"We own the broodmare and we own a piece of the sire so (this win) is so deep and personal to me," said Rome. "I am in love with this horse. To see him run a race like this was a real highlight."

Video: Mine That Bird Derby (BT)