Departing wins West Virginia Derby

Claiborne Farm and Adele Dilschneider's Departing was the first horse nominated to the $750,000 West Virginia Derby and the first horse entered when entries were taken July 30.

Last seen finishing sixth in the May 18 Preakness Stakes, the 7-5 favorite engulfed pacesetter Ruler of Love and 2-1 second choice Overanalyze on the far turn and drew off with consummate authority. Departing negotiated 1 1/8 miles on Mountaineer's fast track in 1:51 2/5, advancing his record to 7-5-0-1, and becoming a millionaire with $1,079,500 in earnings.

With regular rider Brian Hernandez Jr. at Saratoga to pilot Fort Larned in the Whitney Invitational Handicap, Robby Albarado picked up the mount on Departing. The favorite was reserved off the pace as Ruler of Love carved out fractions of :23 2/5 and :47 1/5. Albarado positioned Departing well to the outside down the backstretch, and he didn't have a straw in his path when commencing his move.

By the time that Ruler of Love reached the six-furlong mark in 1:11 3/5, chased by an already hard-pressed Overanalyze, Departing was uncorking a mighty circling move. He surged clear, despite drifting even wider out on the turn, and proceeded to turn the stretch drive into a one-horse show.

Ruler of Love was best of the rest by 3 1/4 lengths from Overanalyze. There was another break of 2 1/4 lengths back to Betweenhereandcool, who edged Shaler by a neck for fourth. Next came Stratocruiser, Say Ow, Ledokol and the ever-trailing Mi Sto Divertendo.

The Kentucky-bred Departing began his career at Fair Grounds over the winter. After capturing his six-furlong debut on December 22 by 2 1/4 lengths, he was even more impressive when stretching out to two turns and landing a February 1 allowance by 4 1/2 lengths.

Departing was entered in the February 23 Risen Star, but drew widest of all in post 14. Stall decided to scratch in favor of another spot for his stakes debut, the March 2 Texas Heritage at Sam Houston. The gelding exuded class in his 2 3/4-length victory.

Stepping up considerably in class for the Louisiana Derby back at Fair Grounds March 30, Departing was a solid third to Revolutionary and Mylute. He promptly rebounded from that first career loss in his next start, driving to a 3 1/4-length decision in the April 20 Illinois Derby.

Although Departing had sufficient points to make the Kentucky Derby field, his connections were not tempted to pitch him into the hurly-burly of the Run for the Roses. They preferred to point the up-and-coming performer to the Preakness, where he threw in his only unplaced effort in sixth. The patient, conservative approach paid dividends at Mountaineer.

By Claiborne stallion War Front, Departing was produced by the Pulpit mare Leave, a full sister to stakes winner Laity. Leave is also a half-sister to multiple Grade 3 winner Trip and to stakes queen Joke, the dam of multiple Grade 1-winning freshman sire Zensational. Departing's second dam is stakes-winning Tour.