Godolphin homebred Wadsworth earned his first stakes victory on Saturday after uncoiling a determined outside rally at the top of the stretch and wearing down pacesetter Mo Stash to win the $225,000 American Derby (Listed) at Ellis Park.
The American Derby is one of six stakes on Ellis Park's Saturday program that is headlined by the $1-million Stephen Foster (G1).
Well positioned off the early pace in fourth under Florent Geroux, the Quality Road colt posted his third win from eight career starts for trainer Brad Cox and entered off a runner-up finish in the Ceasars Handicap My 17 at Horseshoe Indianapolis. Prior to that, he was fourth in the Jeff Ruby Steaks (G3) on the Tapeta March 25 at Turfway Park in his stakes debut.
By Quality Road out of Godolphin's Grade 1-winning turf mare Dickinson, by Medaglia d'Oro, Kentucky-bred Wadsworth covered the American Derby's 1/16 miles on turf rated as good in 1:40.96. He returned $4.50 as the favorite.
Mo Stash broke on top and set fractions of :24.20 for the opening quarter mile, :48.49 for a half mile, and 1:11.17 for six furlongs with Gigante in close attendance in second. Swung out to the five path to rally, Wadsworth drifted out a bit off the turn but was ready to run. Closing in on Mo Stash with each stride, he dueled briefly with the leader in midstretch and got by late in a one-length triumph.
Mo Stash, the 8-5 second choice, hung on for second, two lengths to the good of Desert Duke, who checked in third.
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