Benoit photo
'Better, Better, And Better': Formidable Man Notches First Top-Level Win In Hollywood Derby
Mr. and Mrs. William K. Warren Jr.’s Formidable Man outfooted 10 rivals Saturday at Del Mar in the 84th edition of the $303,000 Hollywood Derby (G1), a 1 1/8-mile crucible on the Jimmy Durante Turf Course.
The City of Light colt had shown a fondness for the seaside green this summer when he swept the Oceanside (L) and the Del Mar Derby (G2) in succession.
Umberto Rispoli was aboard the bay who is trained by Mike McCarthy. The winner returned $12.60 to his backers on the next-to-last day of racing at the 11th Bing Crosby Season as he got home by three-quarters of a length in 1:48.40 with a nifty stretch punch.
Finishing second was King of Gosford, who was a neck better than third-place finisher Donegal Momentum.
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Formidable Man, produced by the Silent Name (JPN) mare Fanticola, earned a check for $180,000 for his winning run and pushed his career earnings to $637,425. He was winning his fifth race in his 10th start and his first Grade 1.
HOLLYWOOD DERBY QUOTES
UMBERTO RISPOLI (Formidable Man, winner) – “Look this horse has been working lights out, for weeks. Michael decided to escape to twilight there and I think that was a perfect call, giving a horse enough time for this race. It is always a tough race at the end of the year. We have a few horses coming from back east, so we have to respect everybody, and the horses from California. But look, I am pleased. I have been working him for the past three works that he had, and he was getting better, better and better. I knew there was quality and potential there. And he proved that to me today. I can’t be more pleased for Mr. Warren and his wife; they really support me, giving me so many chances in my career, and it’s a blessing to win for people like that.”
MICHAEL MCCARTHY (Formidable Man, winner) – “He had a fantastic trip. I had said to Umberto maybe we go ahead and bounce out of there early. I wasn’t sure what to make of the pace. On paper it didn’t look like there was going to be a ton. Glad to see we were sitting where we were just behind the speed. He always looked like he was threatening to run a big one. A hole opened up and he exploded.”
