Runner-up in the G3 Indiana Derby last out, Anthony Foyt Jr.’s Colonelsdarktemper went one better this Saturday to win the G3 West Virginia Derby by a length. The 3-year-old son of Colonel John, ridden by Jon Court for trainer William H. Fires, led the field from gate to wire and covered nine furlongs over Mountaineer’s fast main track in 1:50.68, defeating Game Over and Lookin at Lee.

Through fractions of :23.78 and :47.85, Colonelsdarktemper had company from Heartwood just three-quarters of a length off his lead. The colt maintained his composure for Court, and when threatened in the lane by Game Over, Colonelsdarktemper kicked into another gear and finished strongly under the wire. Game Over had to settle for second, while Lookin At Lee came from last to win a photo with Patch for third.

“I had spoken with (Jinks) about the possibility of no one really wanting the lead and whether it could produce a favorable result to try to get it,” Court told bloodhorse.com. “He allowed me to dictate the pace, and it paid off big. Jinks has done a great job with this horse, not only the physical but the mental. This horse is all business.”

Bred in Kentucky by Hargus and Sandra Sexton and Silver Fern Farm, Colonelsdarktemper was a $35,000 yearling at the Fasig-Tipton Kentucky Fall sale. The colt has now won three of his eight starts for earnings of over $650,000.

Courtesy of the Paulick Report