Win Willy Scores Shocking Win in Rebel

Saturday, March 14, 2009

Not since a maiden named Riverside Sam defeated eventual Arkansas Derby and Preakness winner, Elocutionist, in the 1976 Rebel Stakes, had the race seen an upset of the dimensions witnessed by 28,240 startled fans at Oaklawn Park on Saturday afternoon. 

But Jer-Mar Stable's Win Willy, the longest shot on the odds board at 56.80-1, came from dead last in the middle of the final turn to wear down Fox Hill Farm's undefeated 2-5 favorite, Old Fashioned by midstretch, then draw off to a two-and-a-quarter lengths victory in the 49th running of race, which is the second step in Oaklawn's highly-regarded Triple Crown series.  The track for the mile-and-a-sixteenth feature was officially rated "good" and the field got the distance in 1:44.1. 

Kindred Stable's Poltergeist was eight lengths further back in third as better than 33 lengths separated the nine-horse field at the finish line.  Win Willy, a son of Kentucky Derby winner Monarchos, is not yet even nominated to the Triple Crown events, although trainer Mac Robertson made it clear the, if he comes back well from the race, Win Willy will not only be nominated for the Triple Crown, but also back for an engagement in the $1 million Arkansas Derby at Oaklawn on Saturday, April 11.

On a day when trainer Larry Jones' other fine three-year-old for Fox Hill Farm, Frieson Fire, scored a dominating win in the Louisiana Derby, the popular conditioner could only watch as his crowd favorite chased the fast pace of :22.2 and :46 through the first half mile, in pursuit of the speedy Silver City.  Jockey Ramon Dominguez allowed Old Fashioned to cruise to the front midway on the turn and the roar of the crowd could be heard for miles as Old Fashioned appeared to be well on his way to the expected win.

Few saw that jockey Cliff Berry, who had travelled five lengths or more behind the next to last horse all the way to the final turn, was busily rolling past tiring rivals on the extreme outside.  "I really thought it was great", smiled winning jockey Cliff Berry, "That I might finish third or fourth.  But once I got to the stretch, I suddenly realized 'hey, I can win this thing!!'"

Although Win Willy raced a bit greenly through the final furlong, Old Fashioned was faltering under the pressure and couldn't keep up with his rival, ending the four-race winning streak which had made him the darling of the many media which had projected him to be the favorite for the Kentucky Derby.

An elated trainer Mac Robertson noted "After he won his last race, I thought the distance would be okay  This race came at the right time frame.  I was fairly impressed with his last race and he did act that the distance would be no problem.  This was a home run for us and the horse."

Meanwhile a saddened trainer Jones was philosophical.  "It is hard to say what happened.  The track was heavy and with those kind of fractions, it was bound to catch up with him.  He ran well and we are proud of what he did."