Academic Bests the Boys Again in BC Derby

Another daughter of Henny Hughes is beating up on the boys.



With a brilliant stretch drive, Bear Stable and Riversedge Racing Stables' Academic beat males for the second straight contest in the $250,000 British Columbia Derby (Can-III) Sept. 13 at Hastings Racecourse.



Under a ride, far back in third entering the final turn of the 1 1/8-mile dirt test, the Tim Rycroft-trained 3-year-old filly appeared out of gas, but found another gear in the stretch, gobbling up ground on the rail to win by a neck over pacesetter Bluegrass Angus, who looked much the best until the final furlong. Blue Dancer held to finish third 1 1/2 lengths back.



"When she saw some daylight down the lane, she hit that eighth pole, grabbed another gear and it was over," winning jockey Justin Stein said.



Before Beholder, another Henny Hughes daughter, won the TVG Pacific Classic (gr. I) facing males at Del Mar Aug. 22, Academic defeated males in the Canadian Derby (Can-III) Aug. 15 at Northlands Park by eight lengths.

ANGST: Filly Academic Romps in Canadian Derby



But this three-turn trip at Hastings was far from a romp for Academic. The filly was able to save ground on the rail, sitting in third through much of the trek, as Bluegrass Angus set fractions of :23.23, :47.61, and 1:12.31 through six furlongs, but Stein said she did not appreciate dirt in her face.



"She really didn't like the dirt in her face and I kept trying to find a spot where she could get less of it—stay close or out of the path," the jockey said. "When we turned for home, I was asking her earlier than I thought I'd have to. She was kind of hesitant. I wasn't sure if it was the dirt in her face or the track, but now, when I look back, I think it was the distance. When she galloped out, she was flying. She just kept going."



Entering the stretch, Academic was 3 1/2 lengths back. A mile went in 1:36.82 and Rycroft was sure his standout filly was beaten, but she found just enough to hit the wire at 1:50.33.



"I never really thought we had it. I thought she was hopelessly beat," said Rycroft, who also won the $100,000 British Columbia Oaks a race prior with Myung Kwon Cho and Jun Park's Hero's Amor. "Justin and the filly just stayed to it. She was trapped down there on the inside, and I was pretty worried about her getting home, but when she found some room down the fence, she exploded."



Off at 2-5 the winner paid $2.90, $2.30, and $2.20 across the board. Bluegrass Angus returned $3.30 and $2.50, while Blue Dancer delivered $3 to show.

Percy Fawcett closed to finish fourth, followed by Sedin, Mighty Fraser, Crius, and Purple Heaven, to complete the order of finish. Merlot was scratched.



Bred in Ontario by Spring Farm, out of the unraced Awesome Again   mare Awesome Lass, Academic now has a 4-1-0 record from eight starts with earnings of $488,764.