Sushi Man will be looking to win his third derby of the year on Sunday when he returns to the straight 3-year-old ranks for the $150,000 Hawthorne Derby. The 1 1/8-mile turf race drew a field of eight that includes Anegada, who was cross-entered in a Keeneland allowance Saturday, and the Grade 3-placed Maui Strong, who was an also-eligible in the same race in Kentucky.
Perry County enters the Hawthorne Derby off a runner-up finish in the Super Derby at Louisiana Downs, while the fillies Buttons and Lace and Wednesday Addams both come off allowance wins over the turf at Hawthorne. Smoken Boy won a race that was classified as a Grade 1 in Puerto Rico, and Taunting is a half-brother to multiple stakes winner Black Ops.
“There’s several strong horses in there,” said Coty Rosin, who trains Sushi Man for One Bid Stable. “We’ll see how we can fare. We’re looking forward to the race.”
Sushi Man was the top 3-year-old at the recent Canterbury Park meet. He won the Canterbury Derby on turf June 28, then captured the Minnesota Derby on dirt Aug. 9. Sushi Man last raced Sept. 6 and was second to older rival Frosty View in the Blair’s Cove at 1 1/16 miles on turf at Canterbury.
“That horse, he came back and ran fourth here in the Carey Memorial,” Rosin said of Frosty View. “He came back and ran a good fourth. He’s definitely a legit horse. We knew we were up against it in Minnesota. We were happy with the way Sushi ran. He just ran into an absolute buzz saw. Being how this was for straight 3-year-olds, it was very logical to shoot for this race.”
Sushi Man, who will be ridden by Eddie Gallardo from post 8, will race beyond 1 1/16 miles for the first time. There are reasons to believe he will appreciate the added distance, according to Rosin.
“I guess you never know until you try, but I’ve always thought the farther the better,” he said. “I don’t think the distance should be a problem for him whatsoever. He’s kind of a big, scopey horse. He’s got a really long stride, and he always gallops out very well in his workouts, and he comes back and he cools out really quick. He never seems to get tired, and I really don’t think we’ve gotten to the bottom of him yet. With that said, it shouldn’t be a problem, I’m hoping. I would think, like the last couple, he’ll be close, if not up on the engine.”
Morning-line favorite Maui Strong was third in the Grade 3 Transylvania in April at Keeneland. Prior to that, he was second by a head in the Kitten’s Joy at Gulfstream Park. Vincent Cheminaud has the mount for trainer Dale Romans.
◗ W W Hotshot will be looking to win the 17th race of his career when he returns to Hawthorne to defend his title in the $75,000 River Bear. The six-furlong race is for 3-year-olds and up bred in Illinois.
W W Hotshot enters off a win over allowance foes at Prairie Meadows. The 7-year-old’s chief rivals Sunday include Ravin’s Ransom, who’s won his last three starts by a combined margin of 12 1/2 lengths.
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