Next to last in the early stages, Dixiana Farms' homebred Hayes Strike angled five wide in early stretch and uncoiled a torrid rally to wear down the front-runners and snatch victory by a nose in the $300,000 Texas Derby on Monday at Lone Star Park.
Sent off at 7-1 odds under Cristian Torres, the Connect colt was winning for the second time from four starts this year and rebounded with aplomb from a seventh-place finish in the Toyota Blue Grass (G1) April 8 at Keeneland.
Hayes Strike returned $16.40 for the win after running 1 1/16 miles in 1:45.32.
Harlocap was second in the field of 11, a neck in front of Eyeing Clover in a thrilling finish.
Trained by Ken McPeek, Hayes Strike earned the $181,818 winner's share of the Texas Derby purse, improving his lifetime bankroll to $388,825. His overall record stands at 3-1-1 from 11 starts, including a victory in the Private Terms March 18 at Laurel Park.
Hayes Strike, who showed promise at age 2, finishing second in the 2022 Street Sense (G3), third in the Kentucky Jockey Club (G2) and fourth in the Iroquois (G3) and Gun Runner, was produced by the Deputy Commander mare Plaid. He is a half brother to Senior Investment, who McPeek trained in 2017 to a win in the Lexington (G3) and a third in the Preakness (G1).
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