Determined Whiskey Ticket Takes Illinois Derby

Whiskey Ticket won the Illinois Derby by a nose in his stakes debut for Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert on Saturday at Hawthorne Race Course. (Four Footed Fotos)
Making only his second career start for Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert, Whiskey Ticket showed plenty of determination by gamely holding off fast-closing Conquest Curlinate to win the $400,000 Illinois Derby by a nose on Saturday at Hawthorne Race Course.
Ridden by Martin Pedroza, Whiskey Ticket surged past pacesetter A. Rod Again to take the lead in early stretch as the 2.20-to-1 second betting choice. Conquest Curlinate charged into contention from the outside and closed in on Whiskey Ticket, but the winner would not be denied in the final strides.
Whiskey Ticket completed the 1 1/8-mile race for 3-year-olds in 1:50.82 on a track rated as fast for his second win in as many starts. The Ghostzapper colt won his debut by a head going one mile on March 19 at Santa Anita Park.
Baffert trains Whiskey Ticket for owners Karl Watson, Mike Pegram and Paul Weitman. He was a $200,000 purchase at the 2013 Keeneland September yearling sale.
Bred in Kentucky by Springland Farm and Adena Springs, Whiskey Ticket is one of four winners from six starters out of the Gilded Time mare Honey Grove. He is a half-brother (same dam [mother], different sire [father]) to multiple stakes winner Mutak Gold. He is from the family of Grade 1 winners Unbridled Command and Manistique.
For an Equibase chart, click here.
WHISKEY TICKET PREVAILS IN ILLINOIS DERBY

Four Footed Fotos