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Strong Contender shows heart in Super Derby John Oxley's STRONG CONTENDER (Maria's Mon) swept three wide turning for home and outgamed a stubborn Lawyer Ron (Langfuhr) to the wire in taking the $486,500 Super Derby (G2) by a length at Louisiana Downs on Saturday. Breaking alertly from his inside post, Strong Contender and jockey Robby Albarado sat in a nice spot early on the rail, as Costa Rising (Royal Strand [Ire]), Lawyer Ron and His Eyes (Gold Case) disputed the early lead. Lawyer Ron had taken over sole possession of the lead by the half-mile mark in :46 3/5, and stayed there to midstretch, getting six furlongs in 1:10 4/5 and the mile in 1:35 2/5. Once eyeballed by the fast-closing Strong Contender, Lawyer Ron dug back in but couldn't match strides late, falling just short. Conditioned by third-generation horseman John Ward, Strong Contender edged clear late to complete the nine fast furlongs in 1:48 3/5, paying $7.60, $3.20 and $2.60 while keying the $13.80 exacta, $79 trifecta and $313.60 superfecta (1-2-7-8) as the nearly 3-1 third choice. Lawyer Ron, valiant in defeat as the 4-5 choice, was good for $2.80 and $2.10 while 6 1/2 lengths clear of his nearest pursuer. Louisborg (Victory Gallop) spotted the field more than 12 lengths early but rallied furiously to gain the show by a neck. The 14-1 fourth choice gave $3.40 for the show. Costa Rising, who was in contention until midstretch, came next to conclude the super at 29-1, and was followed by Majestic Stream (Fusaichi Pegasus), His Eyes and Point Determined (Point Given), who showed little as the 5-2 second choice. Follow the Storm (Stormin Fever) was scratched. Strong Contender adds a second Grade 2 win to his resume, capturing the Dwyer S. (G2) earlier this campaign, and moved his mark to 7-4-0-3 with earnings of $596,000. The talented chestnut also owns placings in the Haskell Invitational (G1), Blue Grass S. (G1) and Peter Pan S. (G2). Bred in Kentucky by Haras Santa Maria de Araras Sa, the winner is the second foal out of the multiple stakes-placed Dynaformer mare Kopenhagen, and has an unnamed 2006 half-brother by Hennessy.
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