Dynamic Impact edges Midnight Hawk in Illinois Derby

John C. Oxley's Dynamic Impact rallied to catch Midnight Hawk on the wire of

Saturday's Grade 3, $500,000

Illinois

Derby, prevailing by a nose in the final stride at Hawthorne. A maiden

winner in his previous start at Oaklawn Park, the Mark Casse-trained colt jumped

straight to stakes company with little difficulty and the May 17 Preakness

Stakes is now a serious option for the improving son of Tiznow.

Dynamic Impact proved best in the head-bobbing finish with jockey Miguel Mena.

Midnight Hawk, who captured the Grade 3 Sham in January before consecutive

placings in the Grade 2 Robert B. Lewis (third), Grade 2 San Felipe (second) and

Grade 3 Sunland Derby (second), stumbled slightly at the start but quickly

recovered to show the way into the first turn. The 2-5 favorite traveled a

couple of paths off the rail and Dynamic Impact advanced from his innermost post

position to closely track the pacesetter along the inside.

Midnight Hawk led by a half-length through an opening quarter-mile in :24 and

a half-mile in :48. Dynamic Impact was still clinging to the rail entering the

far turn, but he started to retreat slightly as Midnight Hawk spurted clear

rounding the bend, completing six furlongs in 1:12 with a one-length advantage.

Overlooked as the 9-1 fourth choice among eight three-year-olds, Dynamic

Impact returned a win mutuel of $21.20 to his backers.

He completed 1 1/8 miles in 1:49 on the fast track.

Midnight Hawk wound up 8 1/2 lengths clear of third-placer Irish You Well,

who was followed by Class Leader, King Cyrus, A Step Ahead, Emmett Park and

Global Strike.

Dynamic Impact made three starts last fall, the best result coming as a neck

second in a Keeneland maiden special weight in October. He opened 2014 with a

runner-up in a January 30 maiden tilt at Oaklawn Park and came back to earn his

first win on March 1, scoring by a neck in a one-mile event.