Derby Diaries (Year 26) – Thriller Romps In Baltimore Crown

Original article written by Chelsey Craig posted 14 years 2 weeks ago

Sunny skies meant a fast track for the running of the Year 26 Baltimore Crown. Although the weather was pleasant, a storm was brewing between the entrants. Don't Hesitate, the upset winner of the Louisville Derby, was set to put his 5-race winning streak on the line against 11 competitors. The field assembled was a very tough one. Thriller, the Derby favorite who had fallen short of wearing the roses by 1 ½ lengths, was ready to take another shot at Don't Hesitate. Sahara Sport, who was 5th in the Derby, entered in the Baltimore Crown because the distance was much more suited for him than it was in the Derby. Two other Derby entrants, Singed and Zipless II, had also made the trip to Baltimore Racecourse to get another shot at the Derby winner. Plenty of new faces made the race even more exciting. Heroes Walk Alone and America America, who had finished a head apart for the win in the Grade 2 Chicago Derby last time out, were both entered, as well as Freight Train who won a Grade 3 last time out. Perhaps the most interesting of the newcomers was Unclench Your Fist, a Jon Xett homebred who had won 4 of 5 starts.

A big crowd gathered at the Maryland racetrack and the field broke well, with only Heroes Walk Alone and Thriller not having the best beginnings. Don't Hesitate had taken the Derby from start to finish, and like an arrow, he shot for the lead again in the Crown. However, Unclench Your Fist wasn't going to let the gray have an easy lead, and went right with him from the start. Unclench Your Fist took the lead away going into the first turn, and Don't Hesitate stayed right with him, not letting the frontrunner get more than ¾ of a length in front of him. Sahara Sport found a beautiful spot behind the dueling leaders and settled in. He was followed by Look Out Below, and then Thriller ran willingly in the 5th spot. The Derby runner-up looked as game as ever, and turning for home, he was the first horse to start his run. Thriller passed the 4th and 3rd place horses in about 2 strides and then set his sights on Don't Hesitate and Unclench Your Fist, who were head to head at the top of the stretch. Thriller cruised by them both as easily as if they'd been standing still, and strode out for the wire as the crowd roared. Thriller coasted home by 4 lengths without feeling his jockey's whip even once. He earned a speed figure of 84 for his blow-away performance. The Laura Ferguson trainee returned to the winner's circle to the cheers of many and looked magnificiant wearing the blanket of Black-Eyed Susans. He seemed to be proud of avenging his runner-up performance in the Derby. Unclench Your Fist, who wound up 2nd, should also be applauded as he had a game run. Eric Nalbone's Sahara Sport was 3rd. The Derby winner Don't Hesitate faded to 4th. The final time for the Year 26 Baltimore Crown was 1:53.80.

Thriller has already signed up to go on to the Long Island Classic Week 9, where he'll have to face the likes of Literature and Pacific Classic in the 1 ½ mile challenge. The weather forecast calls for heavy rains all week, so a sloppy track is expected in the final leg of the Triple Crown.

Congratulations to Thriller and his connections on his exciting Baltimore Crown victory!

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