Big Fish Reels ’Em In To Take $200,000 California Cup Derby

ARCADIA, CA – Patiently handled by leading man Juan Hernandez, Legacy Ranch’s Big Fish reeled ’em in late to take Saturday’s $200,000 California Cup Derby by 1 1/2 lengths. Trained by David Hofmans, Big Fish got a mile and 1/16 in 1:46.37.

A joint sixth, about four lengths off the lead going into the far turn, Hernandez bided his time, angled outside three sixteenths from home and Big Fish unleashed a powerful stretch kick to run down None Above the Law in the final sixteenth.

Fourth in the one mile turf Eddie Logan Stakes here on Dec. 27, Big Fish, a 3-year-old gelding by Mr. Big out of the Into Mischief mare Perched, had been on turf and faced open company in his last four races, with both of his wins coming on the grass.

Ridden for the first time by Hernandez, he was also fitted with blinkers, after having not run in them in his last two starts. Off at 4-1 in a field of eight, Big Fish paid $10.00, $5.80 and $3.60.

A one mile turf stakes winner in his fourth start on Sept. 7 at Del Mar, he now has added money victories on both surfaces. With the winner’s share of $110,000, Big Fish increased his earnings to $229,018.

Attentive to the pace throughout with Kent Desormeaux, None Above the Law finished four lengths better than pacesetter Good With People and paid $8.80 and $4.80 while off at 9-1.

Ridden by Rickey Gonzalez, Good With People finished 1 ¼ lengths in front of Warrens Candy Man and paid $3.60 to show.

Fractions on the race were 23.26, 47.50, 1:12.43 and 1:39.38.