Bankit Lands New York Derby
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Photo: S V Photography
Bankit wins the New York Derby at Finger Lakes
Winchell Thoroughbreds and Willis Horton Racing's Bankit returned to the winner's circle for the first time in 2019, scoring by 1 1/4 lengths in the $150,000 New York Derby July 24 at Finger Lakes.
Veering to the outside after stumbling at the start, Almendro was quickly hustled up front by Julio Hernandez. Not That Brady made his own move on the rail, and the two came together just off the first turn and set down to duel. Not That Brady managed to lead by a half-length and set fractions of :23.35 and :47.42 for the half-mile.
Exiting the backstretch, Almendro began to tire and dropped back to fourth, allowing Blindwillie McTell the opportunity to move up and track the leader four wide in the final turn. Bankit, under Eric Cancel, came in hand in the three path and made his own move to the front on the turn, wedging himself between Not That Brady and late challenger Just Right. Blindwillie McTell drew up on even terms with the three runners less than a furlong from the wire, and the four charged home in lockstep.
Bumping briefly with Just Right and an unyielding Not That Brady, Bankit found enough space to squeeze through and take command in the final yards. The final time for the 1 1/16-mile race was 1:45.97.
Not That Brady held for second, followed by Just Right in third and Blindwillie McTell in fourth. Durkin's Call, Hot Diggitty, Paddy All Day, and Almendro completed the order of finish.
Bankit was winless in his first five starts this season. His previous score came in October in the Sleepy Hollow Stakes at Belmont Park. Trained by Steve Asmussen, Bankit entered the race off a third-place finish in Belmont's May 27 Mike Lee Stakes.
Bred in New York by Hidden Brook Farm and Blue Devil Racing, Bankit is the first foal out of Sister in Arms, a winning daughter of Colonel John. Pinhooked as a 2-year-old by SGV Thoroughbreds to the 2018 Ocala Breeders' Sales March 2-Year-Olds in Training Sale, the son of Central Banker was picked up by Winchell Thoroughbreds for $260,000. He improved his record to 3-3-1 from 12 starts, with $468,625 in earnings.
Wait a Minute Breaks Through in New York Oaks
One race earlier, Richie Rich Racing Stable and Jackie Stauffer's Wait a Minute refused to be denied the first stakes score of her career and showed impressive stamina to take the $75,000 New York Oaks.
Sent off at odds of 5-2 in Wednesday's 1 1/16-mile test for sophomore state-bred fillies, Wait a Minute broke just short of the lead behind Awillaway on the rail. Favored Espresso Shot stumbled badly at the break and took up the rear of the four-horse field behind Elegant Zip.
With Jose Baez in the irons, Wait a Minute led through fractions of :23.81, :47.45, and 1:12.79 for six furlongs. Espresso Shot, guided by Cancel, gained ground on the inside, pushed her way to the front up the rail, and issued a challenge as they entered the far turn.
Holding on to a narrow lead at the top of the stretch, Wait a Minute was set upon by Espresso Shot, who battled with the filly to the sixteenth pole. Digging in with persistence, Wait a Minute managed to shake off Espresso Shot in the final 100 yards and pulled away to win by two lengths in 1:48.17.
Elegant Zip finished third, 25 1/4 lengths ahead of Awillaway in fourth.
It was the first stakes score for the Discreetly Mine filly, who entered Wednesday's race off a July 8 allowance win at Finger Lakes. The filly was black-type-placed at 2, finishing second in the 2018 Shesastonecoldfox Stakes at the same track.
Trained by Stauffer, Wait a Minute was bred in New York by Gary and Stacy Machiz out of the Roi Normand mare Essa Brilha—dam of seven winners from eight to race. The 3-year-old was purchased for $10,000 by Nick Hines, agent, from the Eisaman Equine consignment to the 2018 OBS June 2-Year-Olds and Horses of Racing Age Sale. She improved her record to three wins and one second from six starts, with $83,329 in earnings.
Video: New York Oaks (BT)