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Zihnal delivered the standout performance of the weekend at Mountaineer, pulling away for a 6 1/4-length victory in the Grade 3, $400,000 West Virginia Derby on Aug. 10.
Ridden by John Velazquez, Zihnal covered 1 1/8 miles in 1:52.47 on a fast track in the 55th running of Mountaineer’s signature race for 3-year-olds. The bay gelding entered the Derby as a maiden winner and had been winless through his first four starts, but took a clear step forward here as the second betting choice.
Zihnal took over on the far turn
According to the race summary, Zihnal tracked the pressured pace set by Wayne’s Law before moving decisively on the far turn and drawing off.
He returned $8.20 to win, $5.00 to place and $3.80 to show. Trendsetter finished second, followed by Bull by the Horns in third. Maximum Effort was fourth, with Baytown Dreamer fifth, J J Grey sixth, Wayne’s Law seventh and Nehalem eighth.
Trainer Jonathan Thomas credited the ride from Velazquez afterward.
> “He got a very good ride, a Johnny V. ride,” Thomas said.
Thomas also said the colt had shown ability before this breakout effort, adding that Zihnal “was ridden the way we had been wanting him to be ridden.”
Mountaineer card produced a handle increase
The Derby result also came with a notable wagering datapoint for West Virginia racing. Bettors wagered $2.55 million on the Derby program, up 2.4% from $2.49 million a year earlier, according to the source report.
That increase came despite three turf races being moved off the turf and one dirt race being reduced to two runners because of scratches.
Velazquez completed a stakes double on the card by also winning the $200,000 West Virginia Governor’s Stakes aboard Bracket Buster one race earlier.
What comes next for Zihnal
Thomas said the colt’s next start has not been finalized, but the Grade 1 Pennsylvania Derby is among the races under consideration.
> “We may look at the (Grade I) Pennsylvania Derby,” Thomas said.
No West Virginia-specific betting or regulatory change was reported beyond the Mountaineer race results and handle figures.
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Source: As reported by HRN staff & Mountaineer news release.
