None Above The Law Upsets Del Mar Derby

DEL MAR, CA – J. Kirk and Judy Robison homebred None Above the Law, ignored at 10/1 on the tote, waited patiently for running room in the stretch before surging through an opening on the rail and upsetting Saturday’s $250,000 Del Mar Derby (G2) by Caesars Sportsbook.

None Above the Law broke from post 4 under Joe Bravo and settled into a ground-saving mid-pack trip as Hockey Dad raced inside of Crew Dragon through opening fractions of :23.80, :48.00, and 1:12.89.

Waiting for running room at the top of the stretch, None Above the Law got a dream trip when Hockey Dad drifted out after straightening for home, opening a clear path along the inside through which he shot.

Taking the lead in the late stages, the Peter Miller trainee crossed 3/4 of a length clear of his fellow 3-year-olds while completing the 1 1/8-mile firm turf route in 1:48.97.

“Peter told me this horse can do anything,” Bravo said. “He wins running 7/8 on the dirt; he wins going a mile and 1/8 on the grass. We just saved all we could and I showed him daylight turning for home. He really got up under me.”

Drawn the farthest outside post in the field of 13, Flashiest rallied to take second by a head over Hockey Dad, and with Cathkin Peak, Lincoln Hawk, Zoffarelli, Sword Zorro, Barraza, the 9/5 favorite Hudson Ridge and No Foolery Here all close behind in a tight finish requiring multiple photo angles.

Petruchio, Crew Dragon, and Jimmy Blue Jeans completed the order of finish. Optimistic Valor scratched.

None Above the Law’s win, his fourth in a stakes and first in a graded event, followed a 7-furlong victory over the local dirt against California-breds in the Real Good Deal. The Karakontie gelding improved his record to 14-6-2-1 with $454,060 earned.

“I know he went from a mile on turf (ninth in the Oceanside Stakes) to 7 furlongs on the dirt to a mile and 1/8 on the turf to win this,” Miller said. “You won’t find that in any training manual, that’s not the way you do it. But this horse just does everything well. He’s just an overachiever and I just love this horse. The Robinsons are longtime clients and what a ride by Joe Bravo.”

None Above the Law returned $23 to win, $13.60 to place, and $8 to show. Flashiest brought back $14.80 to place and $8 to show. Hockey Dad paid $7.60 to show.