SHAKOPEE, Minn. – The favored Hold for More ($2.80) won his sixth straight when rallying past his Minnesota-bred competition for a three-length win in the $80,000 Minnesota Derby, a one-mile-and-seventy-yard test.
Rating kindly for jockey Dean Butler, Hold for More found plenty when given his cue and bested Steviefromstanley's steady bid. Steviefromstanley finished 6 1/2 lengths clear of Plenty of Sun.
Trained by Francisco Bravo, Hold for More, a Hold Me Back gelding owned by Dale Schenian, earned $48,000 and covered the Derby distance in 1:43.90.
Sioux Appeal wins Minnesota Oaks
Sioux Appeal relished the added distance of the $80,000 Minnesota Oaks when gliding clear of eight Minnesota-bred rivals for a 4 1/4-length win.
Ridden by Leandro Goncalves for trainer Mac Robertson, Sioux Appeal, last year's top Minnesota-bred juvenile filly, got her 3-year-old season back on track by defeating the favored Silver Magna.
Collecting $48,000 for owner-breeder Jeff Larson, Sioux Appeal ran one mile and seventy yards in 1:44.95.