Mythical flaunts his Power in Lone Star Derby

In view of the fact that MYTHICAL POWER (Congaree) had defeated subsequent

Kentucky Derby (G1) shocker Mine That Bird (Birdstone) when runner-up in the

Sunland Derby last time out, the Bob Baffert trainee was duly dispatched as the

even-money favorite in Saturday's $400,000

Lone Star Derby (G3). The Peachtree Stable homebred did not disappoint, but

rather gave a further boost to the New Mexico form with a devastating display.

Well handled by Victor Espinoza, Mythical Power unleashed a powerful move in

the stretch en route to a 7 1/2-length victory. The Kentucky-bred colt thereby

became the first North American graded stakes winner for his second-crop sire

Congaree, who was also trained by Baffert.

When the gate sprang open, Baffert's other runner, Mayor Marv (Distorted

Humor), sprinted to the early lead and carved out an opening quarter in :23 3/5.

Red Lead (Red Bullet) angled off the fence to stalk on the outside, ranging up

to engage the pacesetter. Mayor Marv had his head in front through a half-mile

in :47 2/5, but Red Lead held the head advantage when reaching six furlongs in

1:11 1/5. As the two leaders pulled as many as four lengths clear, Mythical

Power was content to bide his time in a third.

Turning for home, Mayor Marv was beginning to weaken, and Red Lead took

charge. Mythical Power was also on the prowl, however, and he quickly advanced

on the leader. In just a few strides, the public's choice overwhelmed Red Lead

and bounded home in style, reeling off 1 1/16 miles on the fast track in 1:42

3/5. Mythical Power returned $4.20, $3 and $2.40 while spearheading the $103.60

exacta, $570 trifecta and $1,726.80 superfecta (7-4-6-3).

Red Lead held second in his stakes debut, and only his third career start.

Outperforming his 36-1 odds as the longest shot on the board, the game runner-up

gave back $21.20 and $7.40. Dumar (Maria's Mon) checked in another 1 1/2 lengths

back in third, paying $4.80 at 14-1. Uno Mas (Macho Uno), who was last early,

gradually improved his position to garner fourth as the 3-1 second choice. Next

came Cape Truth (Cape Town), Mayor Marv and Galloping Gulch (Gulch).

Mythical Power more than doubled his earnings to $458,000 from a record of

5-2-2-1. Placed in his first two starts sprinting this winter at Santa Anita,

the bay broke his maiden in his first attempt going two turns in March. Mythical

Power was immediately pitched into stakes company in the Sunland Derby, where he

rallied smartly for second, leaving Mine That Bird behind in fourth and future

Lexington S. (G2) winner Advice (Chapel Royal) in fifth.

The second foal from the stakes-placed School for Scandal (Is It True),

Mythical Power has an unraced juvenile half-brother named Onyx (Northern Afleet)

and a yearling half-sister named Troika (Lion Heart). His fifth dam, Amalesian

(*Ambiorix), is the ancestress of such notable performers as Grade 2 heroes

Slavic (Danzig) and Mystery Giver (Dynaformer) as well as Dubai Triple Crown

winner Asiatic Boy (Not for Sale). Amalesian is herself a daughter of the

influential Alanesian (Polynesian).