Mr. Money Masters Indiana Derby

SHELBYVILLE, IN – Allied Racing Stable’s Mr. Money continued his dominance of the lower graded stakes races for 3-year-olds when he cruised home victorious in Saturday’s $500,000 Indiana Derby (G3) at Indiana Grand.

Breaking from the far outside post 11 under Gabriel Saez as the 4/5 favorite, Mr. Money closely stalked from third early while Alwaysmining and Long Range Toddy took turns dueling through opening fractions of :23.89, :47.62, and 1:11.40.

Shifting out to run three-wide as he began to build momentum, Mr. Money gained enough ground to make his bid in the far turn. Straightening for home with a slim advantage, the Bret Calhoun trainee continued to kick away until he hit the wire with a 2 1/2-length advantage in a final time of 1:41.80 for the 1 1/16-mile event over the fast main track.

Gray Magician advanced from fourth to take second by 1 1/2 lengths over Math Wizard, while Chess Chief fought to neck out a fading Long Range Toddy for fourth. Frolic More followed in fifth, while Roiland, Hero Tiger, a spent Alwaysmining, and Market Garden completed the order of finish.

Eskenforit fell to his nose as the gates opened, and in doing so, he lost his rider. After quickly recovering, Eskenforit ended up racing with the pack throughout, even crossing ahead of Mr. Money at the end.

The rider-less Eskenforit outfinishes Mr. Money (Credit: Coady Photography)

Mr. Money’s win was his third straight, having taken the Pat Day Mile Stakes (G3) and the Matt Winn Stakes (G3) at Churchill Downs. The 3-year-old son of Goldencents improved his overall record to 9-4-2-0 with $773,220 earned.

Mr. Money returned $3.80 to win, $2.80 to place, and $2.40 to show. Gray Magician brought back $5.80 to place and $3.60 to show, while Math Wizard paid $3.40 to show.