Limation Speeds to Upset in Louisiana Super Derby
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Photo: Hodges Photography / Ann Switalski
Limation and jockey Diego Saenz enter the winner's circle after the Super Derby at Louisiana Downs
Michael Langford's Limation wasn't exactly the face the Harrah's Louisiana Downs crowd was expecting to cross the wire first in the $300,000 Super Derby (G3), but cross it he did.
Breaking first in the 1 1/16-mile dirt test, the son of Alternation settled in second behind early speed Charlie's Schiller, who set fractions of :24.29 and :48.13 through the first half-mile.
Inching closer to cut the margin from three lengths to a half-length at the six-furlong mark, Limation took control and powered away by six lengths at the top of the stretch and held to finish 5 3/4 lengths in front in a final time of 1:43.91.
"It was the first time I had been on him, but that's the pace we wanted," said jockey Diego Saenz. "As far as his finish, it's like when you push the pedal and you've got gas!"
Favorite Lone Sailor rallied from fifth to take place honors by a neck over High North. Lionite took fourth a full 8 1/2 lengths ahead of G's Turn, followed by Bode's Maker, McFeely, Autumn Warrior, and a tired Charlie's Schiller to complete the order of finish.
"He's been doing really well, said Darren Fleming, assistant to winning trainer Steve Asmussen. "He'd been at Remington Park, and when he came down here, he seemed to come alive and know what his job was. He got a great ride. Diego and I talked in the paddock; we were hoping for a pace to run at, and that's what happened."
Sent off at odds of 26-1, Limation paid $54.80 to win, $15 to place, and $6.40 to show on a $2 wager.
Unraced at 2, Limation broke his maiden May 5 at Churchill Downs in his fourth start. The colt won an allowance race at Ellis Park in July before finishing ninth next out in the Ellis Park Derby.
The Super Derby win was the first for Asmussen.
"We knew he was a talented colt and were very disappointed in his loss at Ellis," explained Asmussen. "Every move we made in that race was wrong. That's why we brought him back so soon. Today, the race set up perfectly, and I am pleased for Michael Langford."
Bred in Kentucky out of the Limehouse mare Lime Lady, Limation holds a 3-0-3 record in 8 starts, with $272,950 in earnings.
The Super Derby capped a day of stakes at the Louisiana track, beginning with Ice City Ghost's maiden-breaking win in the Sunday Silence Stakes. Yes Gorgeous followed two races later with a win in the Elge Rasberry Stakes for Louisiana-bred fillies, followed by Battle At Sea's run to victory in the A.L. (Red) Erwin Stakes for Louisiana-bred colts and geldings.
Louisiana Cup Distaff Stakes winner Bermuda Star secured her second stakes win of the meet in the River Cities Stakes, and Brad Cox trainee Big Changes took home his fourth consecutive victory when he bested Mocito Rojo by a neck to win the Unbridled Stakes.