Departing Dominant in West Virginia Derby
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Departing romped in the West Virginia Derby. (Photo courtesy of Eclipse Sportswire)
Returning to the races 2½ months after finishing sixth in the Preakness Stakes, Departing made easy work of the $750,000 West Virginia Derby as the 7-5 favorite on Saturday.
Racing near the back of the pack early, Robby Albarado and Departing went into the first quarter in seventh. As the 1 1/8-mile race progressed, Departing looked well in hand as he moved closer to the front of the field.
Departing had nothing to worry about as he approached Ruler of Love on the far turn and blew past him going into the stretch. It was all Departing at the finish line as the big gelding won by 8 ¾ lengths in a time of 1:51.47.
The margin of victory was the largest in the race since 1999.
The West Virginia Derby victory was Departing’s second “Derby” victory as he won the Illinois Derby by 3 ¼ lengths in April as a prep race for the Preakness. The gelding now has five wins in seven starts for owners-breeders Claiborne Farm and Adele Dilschneider.
By red-hot sire War Front, Departing is out of the Pulpit mare Leave. Leave is a full sister to stakes winner Laity and a half sister to Joke, the dam of multiple Grade 1 winner Zensational. Claiborne’s regular trainer Al Stall trains the gelding.
For an Equibase chart, click here.