In order for BACKTALK (Smarty Jones) to become the latest son of a Kentucky
Derby (G1) winner to capture the Run for the Roses, good things need to happen
in Saturday’s $500,000
Illinois
Derby (G3) at Hawthorne. In addition to last year’s Sanford S. (G2) and
Bashford Manor S. (G3) winner, the nine-furlong feature has attracted seven
others including a pair of California-based colts who will make their dirt debut
at the suburban Chicago oval.
Though the Illinois Derby will officially mark Backtalk’s second afternoon
appearance of the season following a narrow score in the February 26 Sportsman’s
Paradise S. at Delta Downs, the chestnut appeared to get another full prep in on
the morning of March 25 at Fair Grounds when scorching through a six-furlong
workout in 1:09 3/5. To put that in perspective, last Saturday’s Duncan F.
Kenner S., the leading sprint of the Fair Grounds meet for older horses, was run
in 1:09.
Backtalk will again be ridden by Miguel Mena, who was not aboard for the
colt’s two losses last fall in the Hopeful S. (G1) and Breeders’ Futurity (G1).
YAWANNA TWIST (Yonaguska), a veteran of only three starts, won twice versus
New York-bred foes over the winter by a combined margin of more than nine
lengths, then turned in a strong run in last month’s Gotham S. (G3) when a clear
second to Awesome Act (Awesome Again), one of the favorites for Saturday’s Wood
Memorial S. (G1). Bypassing the Wood in favor of the Illinois Derby appears to
be wise move taken by trainer Rick Dutrow, as it gives the colt a greater chance
to accumulate more graded earnings while facing a softer field. A decision on
whether the colt will be a late nominee to the Triple Crown might depend on his
performance Saturday.
DAVE IN DIXIE (Dixie Union) and AMERICAN LION (Tiznow), who have each shown
signs of talent over California’s synthetic surfaces, will try their hand at
dirt in the Illinois Derby. Both exit disappointing runs in the San Felipe S.
(G2), where American Lion weakened to fourth while wearing blinkers and Dave in
Dixie showed little in finishing sixth of seven.
American Lion, who won the Hollywood Prevue S. (G3) last fall and finished
third in the Robert B. Lewis S. (G2) in his seasonal bow, will shed the hood for
the Illinois Derby and be ridden for the first time by David Flores. Dave in
Dixie, second in the Lewis and a close sixth to champion Lookin at Lucky (Smart
Strike) in the Norfolk S. (G1) last fall, will also get a new rider in Jose
Valdivia Jr.
Longshots in the Illinois Derby include stakes winner TURF MELODY (Maria’s
Mon), unlaced in three prior graded attempts; GAME BALL (Sky Mesa), an overnight
winner in his last two at Tampa Bay Downs; and the Californians STEPHEN’S GOT
HOPE (Stephen Got Even) and BOULDER CREEK (Tapit), who occupied the fifth
position in the San Felipe and Sham S. (G3), respectively.
The $50,000
Cryptoclearance S., which honors the Hawthorne Gold Cup (G2) winner of
1988-89, will be run on the undercard for older horses over 1 1/16 miles. On
paper, the race is a clash between last year’s Hawthorne Derby (G3) winner
PROCEED BEE (Bernstein) and the Grade 2-placed multiple stakes winner
SHADOWBDANCING (Montbrook).