Tabeguache Edges Slip Mahoney in St. Louis Derby

The improving Tabeguache  got the better of stablemate Slip Mahoney  in a slugfest to the wire to notch his first stakes victory Aug. 26 in the St. Louis Derby at FanDuel Sportsbook and Horse Racing.

A homebred for owner Jeff Drown, Tabeguache was a late bloomer in the Brad Cox barn, landing in the winner's circle his third time out in June of this year. The 3-year-old son of Into Mischief   was entering the $250,000 St. Louis Derby off two consecutive wins at Horseshoe Indianapolis, but had never faced stakes company before Saturday.

Tracking the leaders behind leisurely early splits of :25.03, :49.34, and 1:14.21, jockey Emmanuel Esquivel swung Tabeguache wide around the turn and took aim on favored Slip Mahoney, who had opened up a two-length advantage at the top of the lane. Wearing down his stubborn stablemate late, Tabeguache thrust his head in front at the wire. Dennington finished a distant third.

Tabeguache ($18.20) raced the 1 1/16 miles in a final time of 1:46.42 over a main track labeled as muddy (sealed).

Bumping his earnings to $201,650, Tabeguache became the first stakes winner produced from the More Than Ready mare More Mojo. Tabeguache was also the first foal for the young mare, who also has a yearling filly by Nyquist   and a weanling Into Mischief filly.