Fantastic Pick scores upset win in Oak Tree Derby
October 17, 2010INGLEWOOD, Calif. (AP) - Fantastic Pick, the longest shot in a field of eight 3-year-olds, beat Blue Panis by a head to win the $150,000 Oak Tree Derby on Saturday at Hollywood Park.
Ridden by Joe Talamo and making his U.S. debut after three wins in France, Blue Panis had the lead for most of the Grade 2 stakes, but Fantastic Pick and Corey Nakatani surged in the final yards for the victory, covering 1 1-8 miles on turf in 1:48.51.
``In the stretch, I knew it was going to be a two horse race,'' Nakatani said. ``I was just trying to bide my time as long as I could because I wanted somebody to run with me to keep him focused.''
Fantastic Pick paid $46.20, $16.80 and $9.40. Blue Panis paid $7 and $4.20. Kid Edward paid $3.60 to show.
The favorite Make Music For Me, running for the first time since finishing 10th in the Belmont Stakes, was second early but faded to last in the stretch.
It was the first graded stakes win for both the British-bred gelding Fantastic Pick and his trainer Lloyd James.
Fantastic Pick has won three times in his last four starts and five of 15 overall for a career earnings total of $191,773.