Big Truzz Dominates Ellis Park Derby
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Photo: Coady Media/Hunter Fridley
Big Truzz wins the Ellis Park Derby at Ellis Park
After several starts that showed a promising future, Flying Dutchmen's Big Truzz put it all together Aug. 10 for a dominant seven-length win in the $300,000 Ellis Park Derby.
The Brian Lynch trainee's victory also served as an important milestone for the 3-year-old colt's Triple Crown-winning sire, Justify , who has now sired 50 individual black-type stakes winners.
Under jockey Tyler Gaffalione, Big Truzz broke well and found himself in a stalking position behind Big Boat through fractions of :23.58, :46.73, and 1:10.42. Taking command outside the quarter pole, victory was never in doubt as he drew off to complete a mile in 1:34.73, just .40 off the Ellis Park track record while under wraps at the end.
Lynch-trained stablemate Jimmy's Dailys finished second with Admiral Dennis coming in third.
"I've been waiting for that breakthrough race," Lynch told Ellis Park publicity. "He was able to stalk nicely and had a lot of horse left. It was nice to see him draw off like that in the end."
Big Truzz was bred in Kentucky by Orpendale, Chelston, Wynatt, and Kaleen Shah.
Justify, who stood the 2025 season at Coolmore's Ashford Stud for a $250,000 fee, has been an international sensation in the breeding shed since the conclusion of his Hall of Fame racing career in 2018. Some of his top runners include 2024's co-World's Best Racehorse, City of Troy , champion Just F Y I , and grade 1 winners Opera Singer , Ruling Court , Hard to Justify , Ramatuelle , Scandinavia , Aspen Grove , and Arabian Lion .