Cross the Line Strikes in California Derby
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Trainer Jerry Hollendorfer was triple-handed entering the $100,000 California Derby Jan. 17 at Golden Gate Fields and emerged with an eighth win in the race after Cross the Line surged clear in early stretch .
The Kentucky-bred colt, a half brother to grade I winner and Canadian champion Ria Antonia, easily shook off tiring front-runner Midnight Destiny and continued on for a 1 3/4-length victory. Cross the Line earned his first stakes win and also became the first stakes winner for Spendthrift Farm's young sire Line of David .
Soul Driver, the 2-1 favorite, came on for second, finding the winner just a bit too good, while Cross the Line's stablemate Stand and Salute took third. Hollendorfer-trained Steel was fractious in the gate and finished fifth.
Cross the Line covered 1 1/16 miles on the all-weather track in 1:44.79 with J. J. Hernandez at the reins.
Hollendorfer earned his first California Derby win in 1996 with filly Pike Place Dancer and took the race with Cause to Believe in 2006, with Bwana Bull in 2007, Chocolate Candy in 2009, Russian Greek in 2012, Zeewat in 2013, and Exit Stage Left last year.
Cross the Line was settled in third, several lengths behind dueling pacesetters Rye Patch and Midnight Destiny, who pulled away from rivals through a :23.68 opening quarter and :47.92 half mile. Rye Patch was done as six furlongs went in 1:13.07 and Midnight Destiny gave way when Cross the Line came calling after rallying two wide on the second turn.
Cross the Line ($11.40) has a 2-1-1 record from four career starts for Hollendorfer, who campaigns him with George Todaro, Live Your Dream Racing Stable, Sigband, and other partners.
Lynn Schiff bred Cross the Line in Kentucky from the Mr. Greeley mare Beer Baroness. The colt went through the ring via Mill Ridge Sales' agency at the 2013 Fasig-Tipton Kentucky July yearling sale, where he was bought by Sequel Bloodstock for $55,000.