Goldencents, the Delta Downs Jackpot victor
Trainer Doug O’Neill will be dishing out another Kentucky Derby contender, and probably an early favourite for the 2013 edition in the shape of, Goldencents, who made significant strides among his 2-year-oild division toward the “Road to the Derby” by winning
the Grade 3, $1 million Delta Downs Jackpot at Delta Downs on 17 November, 2012.
It was a gate-to-wire victory by Goldencents, who swiftly broke from the gate under jockey Kevin Krigger, and set up quick early fractions. He had enough in the tank to hold off a late burst from the 9 to 5 favourite, Bern Identity, and downed 1 1/16 miles
in 1 minute and 44.89 seconds.
The Kentucky bred colt by Into Mischief, was handed his first stakes victory, as Goldencents provided his owners W.C. Racing, Dave Kenney something to cheer about after the colt’s maiden breaker at 5 ½ furlongs at Del Mar on 2 September, 2012.
Out of Golden Works by Banker’s Gold, Goldencents got the lion’s share of the $1 million purse, being $600,000, and earned 10 crucial points under the new Kentucky Derby qualifying system.
Goldencents, currently sits pretty at second with 14 points just behind the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile winner, Shanghai Bobby, who tops the list with 20 points, winning the Grade 1 Champagne Stakes and the Juvenile, as both were worth 10 points each.
Bred by Rosecrest Farm & Karyn Pirrello, Goldencents earned 4 points by finishing runner-up to Shanghai Bobby in the Grade 1 Champagne Stakes at Belmont Park on 6 October, 2012, over a mile.
Coming back to the Jackpot, Goldencents zipped out of his post nine, and fended off early challenger, Heaven’s Runaway. Once in the lead, Goldencents was uncatchable, as he clocked the opening quarter-mile in 22.64 seconds and half-mile in 46.22 seconds.
By the 6-furlong mark, Goldencents extended his advantage, and with the Juvenile Sprint winner, Hightail, and Show Some Magic in hot pursuit, it was the 25 to 1 shot, Mylute, who made a sweeping move on the outside when the field turned for home.
The early post favourite, Bern Identity was settled in ninth, struggling for room, but when he did find some room, he made a bid looping the field six wide, but by that time it was too late, as Goldencents had completed his gutsy front running stint.
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