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).