Watch Me Go wins Tampa Bay Derby, Brethren third
March 12, 2011OLDSMAR, Fla. (AP) - Watch Me Go, a 43-1 long shot, won the Tampa Bay Derby on Saturday in one of the biggest upsets in the history of the race, beating a field that included Kentucky Derby hopeful Brethren.
Brethren finished third behind Crimson Knight, who had 86-1 odds in the $350,000 Grade II race.
Watch Me Go now is a serious contender to make this May's Kentucky Derby.
Ridden by Luis Garcia and trained by Kathleen O'Connell, Watch Me Go pulled to the lead on the home stretch, as Brethren and Crimson Knight were neck and neck for most of the 1 1-16 mile race.
Brethren, however, faded late, and Watch Me Go won by a neck over Crimson Knight.
Brethren, the half brother of 2010 Kentucky Derby winner Super Saver, was easily favored as the colt won the $225,000 Sam F. Davis Stakes on Feb. 12, was a perfect 3-for-3 in races coming in and rode by 2010's top jockey, Ramon Dominguez.
The winning time was 1:44.25. Watch Me Go, who finished third at the Davis Stakes a month ago, returned $89.40, $28.80 and $8.80. Crimson Knight was second at $50 and $11.80 and Brethren returned $2.10 to show.