Mr Freeze Cool Customer in West Virginia Derby
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Photo: Coady Photography
Mr Freeze wins the West Virginia Derby at Mountaineer Casino Racetrack & Resort
With a clean break and a steady pace, Mr Freeze had ice in his veins when he led at every point of call to win the $500,000 West Virginia Derby (G3) Aug. 4 at Mountaineer Casino Racetrack & Resort.
Since his debut April 20, Jim Bakke and Gerald Isbister's Mr Freeze has given his connections very little reason to complain.
The son of To Honor and Serve broke his maiden at first asking in a seven-furlong sprint at Keeneland before stretching out to win a 1 1/16-mile optional-claiming allowance at Churchill Downs. Satisfied with Mr Freeze's efforts at the distance, trainer Dale Romans stepped his trainee up to the listed Iowa Derby for his only career misstep, where he missed by a half-length to land second.
Sent off at odds of 6-1, Mr Freeze broke alertly in the 1 1/8-mile West Virginia Derby under patient handling from jockey Robby Albarado and led the field through six furlongs in 1:11.13.
Saving ground on the far turn, Mr Freeze turned back a late challenge from Iowa Derby victor High North before drawing away by increasing margins. As the pack hit the top of the stretch, Mr Freeze shook off the rest of the field with ease to complete his dominating effort and hit the wire an impressive eight lengths ahead. The final time for the race was 1:47.95.
Angled out under a drive, Draft Pick rallied to take second, with a tiring High North a half-length back in third. Lionite, Once On Whiskey, Rugbyman, Caloric, King Cause, and Pamir completed the order of finish.
The winner returned $15.20, $6.60, and $4.20.
The West Virginia Derby was the first graded victory for the 3-year-old colt, who boasts a 3-1-0 record and $434,400 in earnings.
Bred in Kentucky by Siena Farms, Mr Freeze was purchased by Romans for $75,000 from Taylor Made Sales Agency's consignment to the 2016 Keeneland September Yearling Sale.
Out of the Tabasco Cat mare Heavenly Cat, Mr Freeze is a half brother to grade 3 winners Heavenly Ransom and Dilemma and stakes winner Capitano.
Video: West Virginia Derby (G3)