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Zanjero scores in Indiana Derby Winchell Thoroughbreds LLC's ZANJERO (Cherokee Run) posted a 3 1/2-length victory Saturday night at Hoosier Park in the $510,600 Indiana Derby (G2). Sent off the 8-5 favorite against eight other sophomores, the Steve Asmussen charge lugged in a bit during the stretch run, but was still best while finishing 1 1/16 miles on the fast dirt in 1:43 4/5. Flashstorm (Storm Cat) grabbed the lead as soon as the gates opened, setting splits of :23 4/5 and :47 4/5 while jockey Robby Albarado settled Zanjero to the inside in last. Coming round the second turn, Zanjero began picking off horses, then angled out four wide and took over through a mile in 1:37 4/5 before going on to earn his second Derby. "I just had to be patient," Albarado explained. "He went through the inside on the turn so well. I was really just a passenger. If it wasn't for Curlin (Smart Strike), this would be the top horse in Steve's barn. I have always liked this horse and glad to finally get the chance to ride him." Zanjero paid $5.40, $3 and $2.80 while keying the $15 exacta, $143.40 trifecta and $1,652.80 superfecta (2-1-5-7). Bwana Bull (Holy Bull) saved ground early before swinging out five wide in the stretch and easily taking second by 2 3/4 lengths, giving back $4.40 and $3.80 as the 7-2 third choice. Flashstorm held well for third, 4 1/4 lengths in front of Squeaky Rich (Evansville Slew), and returned $5.80 at 20-1. Medici Code (GB) (Medicean) was next under the wire, followed by Longley (Seeking the Gold), Stonehouse (Chester House), Slew's Tizzy (Tiznow) and Sedgefield (Smart Strike). Zanjero entered this one off a third in the Pennsylvania Derby (G2), but captured the West Virginia Derby (G3) two back, holding Bwana Bull to second on that day as well. So far, the dark bay has placed in six total graded events, including the Blue Grass S. (G1), Louisiana Derby (G2) and Northern Dancer Breeders' Cup S. (G3). From a 13-4-3-4 mark he's accumulated $1,174,276 in lifetime earnings. Bred in Kentucky by Tony Holmes and Walter Zent, Zanjero is out of the unraced A.P. Indy mare Checkered Flag, making him a half-brother to multiple stakes winner and Grade 2-placed Victory Lap (Touch Gold) and an unnamed weanling by Ghostzapper. He also has a juvenile full sister named Acacia. Zanjero was purchased by his current connections for $700,000 as a Keeneland September yearling.
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