Tawny Port Bests White Abarrio in Ohio Derby

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Photo: JJ Zamaiko Photography, Inc.
Tawny Port powers past White Abarrio to win the Ohio Derby at Thistledown

As the field turned for home in the June 25 $500,000 Ohio Derby (G3), all three Kentucky Derby presented by Woodford Reserve (G1) participants lined up across the track in hopes of redemption after finishing off the board on the First Saturday in May. In the end, it was Peachtree Stable's Tawny Port  who prevailed in the Thistledown clash of the Derby also-rans—just as he was in front of the other two on Derby Day.

The Ohio Derby reaffirmed Tawny Port's prowess on the dirt, a surface that many, including his trainer Brad Cox, were unsure of his ability to handle before the colt swept to a late-running victory in the April 16 Stonestreet Lexington Stakes (G3) at Keeneland. Three weeks before the big dance, Tawny Port had earned a slot into the Kentucky Derby starting gate with a runner-up finish in the Jeff Ruby Steaks (G3) on synthetic.

As Kentucky Derby day dawned, Tawny Port, regarded as the outsider in Cox's trio of Derby starters that included Arkansas Derby (G1) victor Cyberknife  and Louisiana Derby (G2) runner-up Zozos , went to post as the second-longest shot on the board at 80-1 behind only upset winner Rich Strike . Closing from 14th in the field of 20, Tawny Port rallied mildly to finish seventh, ahead of his more regarded stablemates, and was beaten a respectable 4 3/4 lengths at the finish.

In his first race since the Derby, Tawny Port was partnered with Belmont Stakes presented by NYRA Bets (G1)-winning jockey Irad Ortiz Jr., who will begin serving a five-day suspension June 29 following a sanctioned ride on the Wesley Ward-trained Love Reigns  in the June 15 Queen Mary Stakes (G2) at Royal Ascot.

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In the Ohio Derby, Ortiz settled his mount off an opening quarter in :22.82, with Lambholm South Tampa Bay Derby (G2) winner Classic Causeway  and longshot Pineapple Man  in front.

Into the run for the far turn, after a half-mile in :47.08, Tyler Gafalione pulled the trigger on Curlin Florida Derby presented by Hill 'n' Dale Farms at Xalapa (G1) hero White Abarrio , with Tawny Port in close pursuit, catapulting three-wide to his outside as the duo drew even with Classic Causeway at the quarter pole. Under left-handed urging from Ortiz, Tawny Port drifted out during the lane but still managed to surge clear of his foes, besting White Abarrio by a length at the wire.

White Abarrio, game in his first effort since a disappointing 16th-place finish at Churchill Downs, fended off Classic Causeway by 1 1/4 lengths for second.

Favored at the betting windows, Tawny Port ($4.60) raced the 1 1/8 miles in 1:50.46 on a fast track.

Ethereal Road , coming off an impressive score in the Sir Barton Stakes Sponsored by Brandon and Diannah Perry to Benefit The Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance on Preakness Day, showed little, beating one horse at the line to finish sixth.

A member of late sire Pioneerof the Nile's penultimate crop, Tawny Port was bought for $430,000 as a yearling at the Keeneland September Sale by John Fort of Peachtree Stable. Machmer Hall Sales consigned the Kentucky-bred colt for his breeder, WinStar Farm.

Tawny Port is produced from the multiple stakes-winning, graded stakes-placed Macho Uno mare Livi Makenzie , the dam of three winners from four offspring to race. Livi Mackenzie has a yearling filly by Always Dreaming   and delivered a colt by Global Campaign   this past spring.

Video: Ohio Derby (G3)