BOSSIER CITY, LA – Michael Langford’s Limation looked like a winner throughout the race while making easy work of his foes by the end of Sunday’s Grade 3, $300,000 Super Derby at Louisiana Downs.
Breaking sharply from post 7 under Diego Saenz, Limation settled in second while Charlie’s Schiller blazed ahead through early fractions of :24.29 and :48.13. Inching closer heading into the far turn, Limation took command and soon shot off like a rocket. Clearing away while kept to task, the Steve Asmussen trainee hit the wire with a comfortable 5 3/4-length advantage in a final time of 1:43.91 for the 1 1/16-mile main track event.
“It was the first time I had been on him, but that’s the pace we wanted,” said Saenz. “As far as his finish, it’s like when you push the pedal and you’ve got gas!”
The two co-favorites Lone Sailor and High North were never in range of the winner but battled the length of the stretch, with the former necking out the latter for second. Asmussen’s other entry, Lionite, rallied in the stretch for fourth, 8 1/2 lengths past G’s Turn in fifth. Bode’s Maker, McFeely, Autumn Warrior, and a spent Charlie’s Schiller completed the order of finish.
Limation’s win improved his record to 8-3-0-3 and was a nice rebound from his poor effort last out in the $75,000 Ellis Park Derby on August 12. The 3-year-old son of Alternation has now earned $272,950 in his career.
“We knew he was a talented colt and were very disappointed in his loss at Ellis,” Asmussen said. “Every move we made in in that race was wrong. “That’s why we brought him back so soon. Today, the race set up perfectly, and I am pleased for Michael Langford.”
Limation returned $54.80 to win, $15 to place, and $6.40 to show. Lone Sailor brought back $3.20 to place and $2.20 to show, while High North paid $2.40 to show.
