Tin Cup Chalice extinguishes Pyro in Indiana Derby

Overlooked at 9-1 despite a seven-for-eight record, Michael Lecesse and Scott

Vanlaer's TIN CUP CHALICE (Crusader Sword) was sent for the lead from the bell,

held off various challenges throughout while racing off the rail, and drove home

a one-length winner of Saturday's $514,100

Indiana

Derby (G2) at Hoosier Park. Under Pedro Rodriguez, Tin Cup Chalice rattled

off fractions of :23 1/5, :48 1/5, 1:13 2/5 and completed 1 1/16 miles on a fast

track in 1:45. His supporters got back $20, $6.40 and $6 while keying the $65.60

exacta, $172.20 trifecta and $2,052.80 superfecta (4-12-10-9).

Upset as the 6-5 choice in the Indiana Derby was Pyro (Pulpit), the Louisiana

Derby (G2) winning and multiple Grade 1-placed colt who split rivals around the

final turn but simply didn't get his bid on track until it was far too late. He

edged 7-2 second choice Acai (Three Wonders) by a neck and returned $3 and

$2.60. Acai brought back a healthy $5.60 to show and was 3 1/4 lengths ahead of

fourth-placer I. M. Boomer (Langfuhr). The previously unbeaten Power Game (Dixie

Union) was next and led He's Eze (Silver Deputy), Budge Man (Fusaichi Pegasus),

Chris Got Even (Stephen Got Even), Famous Patriot (Repent), Cubfanbudman (Van

Nistelrooy), Chow Wagon (Wagon Limit) and Asmodeus (K.O. Punch) across the

line.

Tin Cup Chalice ripped through his first eight starts, counting among those

wins the Finger Lakes Juvenile, Mike Lee S., New York Derby and Albany S., the

latter three comprising the Big Apple Triple, a three-race series for New York-breds.

Tin Cup Chalice met his first reversal in last month's Step Nicely S. at Belmont

Park, losing in the final yards to Famous Patriot by a neck. Bred and trained by

Lecesse, Tin Cup Chalice now sports a record of 9-8-1-0 with earnings of

$868,680.

Out of the winning Twice Forbidden (Spectacular Bid), Tin Cup Chalice counts

as half-brothers 2004 New York Derby winner Don Corleone (Incurable Optimist)

and the unraced two-year-old Mr. Fantasy (E Dubai). Tin Cup Chalice's fifth dam,

Lady N Silk (*Ambrose Light), produced the legendary one-run closer Silky

Sullivan (*Sullivan), whose biggest career victory occurred in the 1958 Santa

Anita Derby.