Exquisite Stride Gets First Stakes Victory in EVD Derby

OPELOUSAS, LA—DECEMBER 19, 2015—The multi-talented Exquisite Stride, who has endured his share of hard luck during his short race career, finally got his due Saturday night with a neck win over stablemate Zoomin Baby in the $145,100 EVD Derby at Evangeline Downs. Cobalt Creek finished half-a-length back for third.

Under a confident ride by jockey Joe Badilla, Jr., Exquisite Stride completed the 400 yard course in :19.700 seconds to earn a 96 speed index. Owned by D & S Racing, LLC, the lightly raced Carters Cartel colt was winning for the fourth time in only seven career starts.

As a two-year-old the Michael Taylor trainee was the fastest qualifier on Day-2 for the $2.6 million All American Futurity(G1) at Ruidoso Downs. He finished a troubled sixth in the final. After undergoing surgery in the off-season he was second in the his first 2015 start, a trial for the Rainbow Derby(G1).

Shortly after that race Exquisite Stride was injured in a freak training accident at Ruidoso and nearly lost his life. His next start did not come until October where he finished second in an allowance after getting bothered from a slow start. He won his EVD Derby trial on November 28 and posted the fifth fastest time despite having a bout with colic the night before the trials.

Bred in California by John Andreini, from the Mr Jess Perry mare Tinys Lil Jess, Exquisite Stride earned $72,550 in the EVD Derby to bring his earnings mark to $187,630.

Also trained by Taylor, Zoomin Baby races for owner Francisco Vega. Winner of the EVD Futurity last year, the Jess Zoomin gelding earned $24,667 for his second place derby effort. Francisco Raul Ramirez, Jr. rode the gray out of the Royal Quick Dash mare Royal Baby Sister. Jackie Sessions bred the earner nearly $170,000.

John Stinebaugh saddled graded stakes-placed Cobalt Creek to his third place finish for owner VWP Jr., Inc. Gilbert Ortiz rode the Walk Thru Fire gelding out of Checknbac, by Check Him Out. Third in the $1,067,908 Rainbow Derby(G1) last summer at Ruidoso Downs, Cobalt Creek used the $14,510 EVD Derby payday to boost his earnings to $190,259. Jim Streelan and Bill Dale is the breeder.

Exquisite Stride paid $6.40 to win, $4.00 to place and $2.60 to show. Zoomin Baby returned $6.60 to place and $4.20 to show, while Cobalt Creek paid $3.60 to show.

Completing the derby field were Happie Happie Happie, Iconic Jess, McM Storm Catcher, Ncc Game On, Executive Successor and Ww Showtime.