With fast fractions being carved out on the front end, Hence and rider, Alfredo Juarez were more than happy to sit patiently back in last in the early going of the $800,000 Sunland Derby. That strategy paid off big time for the invader from Oaklawn Park, as he mounted a sustained rally to roll by the field, and win the Grade 3 Derby prep going away. In so doing, Hence earned 50 qualifying points to secure an entry into the 2017 Kentucky Derby starting gate.
Owned and bred by Calumet Farm, and trained by Steve Asmussen, the son of Street Boss was let go at odds of 10-1 coming in off a disappointing seventh place finish in the Southwest Stakes in his most recent start. Before that, the chestnut colt had scored an eventful maiden win in Arkansas. Today turned out to be bounce back time for Hence.
Not in a hurry out of the gate, Hence eased into the race, while a host of horses sprinted out for the early lead. The winner of the race into the first turn was the Todd Pletcher trained Hedge Fund, who was followed closely by the race favorite, Bronze Age. That one had gotten into contention, despite a stumble at the start, and a blistering first quarter mile in :22.26. Hedge Fund opened up a working margin on the backstretch, with a number of challengers bunched in behind him. Hence, meanwhile was beginning to make up ground as the leader hit the half in :45.72.
Taking the wide route, away from any traffic, Hence continued his forward progress into the far turn. There he really picked it up, swooping by horses to get into contention nearing the stretch. By that time, the local winner of the Mine That Bird, Conquest Mo Money had forged to the lead ahead of the early leader. It quickly became a two-horse race, as Hence continued his strong run on the outside.
Conquest Mo Money tried to stay with Hence, but the eventual winner simply had too much momentum for the previously undefeated son of Uncle Mo. Pulling clear in mid-stretch, Hence drew away with every stride to hit the wire a 3 3/4-length winner.
Final time for the nine furlongs over the fast track at Sunland Park was a strong 1:48.10. Hedge Fund held onto third-place money over the wealthy maiden, Irap, but more than four lengths behind the runner-up.
As the seventh choice in the field of 11, Hence returned $23.60, $12.60, and $7.40 across the board to his happy supporters. The $2 exacta over Conquest Mo Money paid $151.80, while the 9-12-2 trifecta was good for a healthy $1,859.80.
With the victory, the Kentucky homebred raised his lifetime record to 6-2-1-1, while winning a race that has sent Mine That Bird on to Kentucky Derby success back in 2009, and Firing Line to a runner-up in the Derby in 2015. Hence now has career earnings of $542,601, and is headed to Kentucky for the first Saturday in May.
Here's the finish for the Sunland Park Derby! Hence, Conquest Mo Money. Photo finish for 3rd for Hedge Fund. pic.twitter.com/K7sjORCcWR
— NewsChannel9 El Paso (@NC9) March 26, 2017
