Former Claimer Accidental Hero Edges Sunbird In Spirited British Columbia Derby Duel
Accidental Hero collared pacesetter Sunbird midway on the turn, then battled that determined rival through the stretch to narrowly prevail in the CA$117,500 British Columbia Derby (G3) Saturday night at Hastings Racetrack.
Ridden by Kimal Santa for trainer Larry Grieve, Accidental Hero scored by a head while notching his first stakes victory. He completed the 1 1/8-mile main track event in 1:50.05 and returned $4.40 at the 6-5 favorite in the field of five. Early fractions were :23.18 for the opening quarter, :47.54 for the half, 1:12.64 for six furlongs, and 1:37.48 for the mile.
Sunbird outfinished Space for the runner-up spot by 5 3/4 lengths.
A Kentucky-bred Mo Town colt campaigned by WYN Racing Stables Corp., Accidental Hero entered off a creditable third in the Canadian Derby (G3), in which Sunbird was fifth, Aug. 26 at Century Mile Racetrack. With Saturday's triumph, his career line improves to 3-4-3 from 13 starts and $150,834 in lifetime purse earnings.
Accidental Hero, who was bred in Kentucky by Michael T. Barnett, is out of the Chatain mare Pardonmecomingthru. West Point Thoroughbreds landed the colt for $260,000 at the 2022 OBS March Two-Year-Olds in Training Sale, where Gene Recio consigned him.
In took six starts for Accidental Hero to break his maiden, which happened March 10 at Turfway Park. Trainer Michael Puhich subsequently claimed from him West Point Thoroughbreds for Mark DeDomenico for $40,000 May 5 at Oaklawn Park. The bay colt made his next start for his current connections June 10 at Hastings where he finished last in the Ross McLeod Stakes. He proceeded to go winless in three more starts, all stakes, including the Canadian Derby, before Saturday's thrilling stakes breakthrough.
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