W. L. McKnight

Devil’s Preacher made his Calder debut a winning one (Jim Lisa Photos)

Ra Hill Stable’s DEVIL’S PREACHER (Pulpit) corralled a clear Bob’s Proud
Moment (Proud and True) a few jumps before the wire to gain a win in the
$200,000 W. L. McKnight H. (G3),
the final stakes race of Calder’s Grand Slam II day on Saturday. Originally scheduled for
1 1/2 miles on the sod, the race was moved to the sloppy, sealed main oval and downgraded from
Grade 2 status pending review by the American Graded Stakes Committee. That didn’t
bother the winner, though, who stopped the timer in 2:38 1/5 under Rafael Bejarano. The
George Weaver trainee was sent off at 5-1 in the six-horse field, and keyed the
$67.60 exacta, $166.40 trifecta and $592.80 superfecta (3-7-1-12), while paying $13.40,
$6.80 and $3.80.

Bob’s Proud Moment took over the lead by the quarter-mile mark and led the
group through splits of :24 1/5, :48, 1:13 3/5, 1:40 1/5 and 2:08 for the
initial 10 furlongs, before tiring noticeably late. The 3-1 shot gave back $3.80
and $2.60. Early leader Ramazutti (Honor Grades) dropped back into a rating spot
early but rallied well in the lane to garner show honors another 2 1/4 lengths
back, worth $2.60 as the 3-2 choice. It was another 11 3/4 lengths back to
Teofilo (Per) (Riyadian [GB]), who finished off the superfecta at 8-1. Embossed
(Ire) (Mark of Esteem [Ire]) and Spider Power (Ire) (Royal Applause [GB]), who
was pulled up prior to the finish, rounded out the field.

Interpatation (Langfuhr), Always First (GB) (Barathea [Ire]), Dave (Ends
Well), Dreadnaught (Lac Ouimet), Revved Up (Sultry Song), Big Prairie (Danzig)
and Bee Charmer (Ire) (Anabaa) were withdrawn.