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Willcox Inn much the best in American Derby All In Stable's WILLCOX INN (Harlan's Holiday) has now captured the first two legs of Arlington Park's Mid-America Triple after a dominating score in Saturday's $200,000 American Derby (G2). After earlier taking the Arlington Classic, and following a four-length triumph Saturday's American Derby in a stakes-record time of 1:54 2/5, Willcox Inn heads to the August 13 Secretariat S. (G1) with a chance to become the first horse since Honor Glide in 1997 to sweep the three-race series in its current all-turf format. Willcox Inn, the 2-1 favorite under Robby Albarado, tracked in third behind Zoebear (Bellamy Road), who opened up a huge early lead. In command by five lengths through a quarter in :23 1/5, Zoebear extended the margin to nine lengths through a half in :47 2/5. However, Willcox Inn was sent after the long-time leader approaching the half-mile marker and opened up a length through six furlongs in 1:12 2/5. Willcox Inn was not seriously challenged thereafter as his lead widened to four lengths through the run to the wire. He paid $6.20, $3.80 and $3.20. Suntracer (Kitten's Joy) and Derby Kitten (Kitten's Joy) closed from near the back of the pack to gain second and third, respectively, at 7-1 and 4-1. Chalice (Pulpit) finished fourth and was followed by Close Ally (Giant's Causeway), Zoebear, Twojohnsandajack (Malibu Moon), Cannon Hill (Ire) (Holy Roman Emperor), Forest Mouse (Teton Forest) and Lil Bit O'Fun (Langfuhr). Trained by Mike Stidham, Willcox Inn made his winning debut at Arlington last September, defeating eventual Kentucky Derby (G1) winner Animal Kingdom (Leroisdesanimaux [Brz]) by 2 3/4 lengths on Polytrack. He concluded his juvenile campaign with third-place efforts in the Breeders' Futurity (G1) and Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf (G2). Runner-up in the Grindstone S. at Fair Grounds to start 2011, Willcox Inn was a troubled eighth in the Blue Grass S. (G1) before taking the Arlington Classic last time by 2 1/2 lengths. His record now stands at 7-3-1-2, $347,541. Bred by Dr. John A. Chandler and produced by the multiple Grade 3-placed De Aar (Gone West), Willcox Inn was a $50,000 Fasig-Tipton July yearling. De Aar has also produced fillies by Mizzen Mast the past three years, including an unraced juvenile named Francisca. Willcox Inn's second dam was Aletta Maria (Diesis [GB]), who produced multiple Grade 1 winners Cetewayo (His Majesty) and Dynaforce (Dynaformer), Grade 2 winner Bowman Mill (Kris S.), and stakes winner Ntombi (Quiet American), among other black-type earners. This is the family of Group 2 winners Raah Algharb (Gone West) and Run Don't Fly (Lear Fan), as well as Grade/Group 3 winners Seaspeak (Mizzen Mast), Pharian (Diesis [GB]), Western Ransom (Red Ransom) and Coracle (Exbourne).
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