ARCADIA, Calif. - Castledale closed with a rush on the outside and survived a foul claim to pull off an upset in the $750,000 Santa Anita Derby on Saturday.
Castledale charged to the lead on the outside while Rock Hard Ten drifted in just inside the sixteenth pole and impeded the path of a fast-closing Imperialism. Castledale, 30-1, finished a head in front of Rock Hard Ten, with Imperialism another 2 lengths back.
After a steward's inquiry, Rock Hard Ten was disqualified and placed third. Imperialism was moved to second in the West Coast's major Kentucky Derby prep race.
Castledale, a 3-year-old Irish-bred, was entered at the last minute by trainer Jeff Mullins. Quintons Gold Rush was fourth, followed by Louisiana Derby winner Wimbledon, 2-1 favorite St Averil and Lucky Pulpit.
The 11/8-mile race shaped up as a battle among top Kentucky Derby contenders Wimbledon, Imperialism and St Averil. But neither Wimbledon nor St Averil contended in the stretch, and Castledale won in 1:49.24 and produced the fifth-highest payoff at the race, $62, $17 and $5.60. Imperialism paid $5.80 and $3.80. Rock Hard Ten paid $4 to show.
ILLINOIS DERBY: Pollard's Vision gave his handlers big ideas for next month. "We could be heading to Kentucky for the Derby," said Ginny DePasquale, assistant to trainer Todd Pletcher. Pollard's Vision, who does not have a right eye, set the pace for an easy run at Hawthorne in Cicero, Ill. He held off 10 challengers in the 11/8-mile race and beat Song of the Sword by 2 lengths in 1:50.4, paying $5.40, $3.60 and $2.80 for the $500,000 race.
AVENTURA STAKES: Kaufy Mate swept to a 41/2-length victory in the $250,000 ungraded stakes for 3-year-olds at Gulfstream at Hallandale Beach. Humorously was second, Baronage third. Kaufy Mate ran 1 1/16 miles in 1:44 3/5 and paid $11.80, $6.00 and $4.40. Humorously paid $5.40 and $4.40, and Baronage paid $6 to show. Also at Gulfstream, Jackpot won his first stakes start by 2 lengths over Newfoundland in the $300,000 Grade II Gulfstream Park Handicap.
ASHLAND STAKES: Madcap Escapade led from start to finish and held off Ashado by half a length to win the Grade I race for 3-year-old fillies at Keeneland in Lexington, Ky. Madcap Escapade is undefeated in four starts, all as a 3-year-old. The daughter of Hennessy is a late nominee to the Triple Crown races.
EXCELSIOR BREEDERS' CUP: Funny Cide looked happy to be home in New York. The 4-year-old chestnut gelding won the $200,000 event in his first race in his native state since the failed Triple Crown bid in the Belmont Stakes. The Derby and Preakness champion took charge around the final turn, held off a rally and beat Evening Attire by a half-length. Funny Cide covered 11/8 miles on a muddy track in 1:49.57 and paid $4.60.
APPLE BLOSSOM STAKES: Azeri opened her 6-year-old season in the same fashion as the previous two, taking the $500,000 race at Oaklawn Park in Hot Springs, Ark., to become the first three-time winner of the race.
