Illinois Derby thriller goes to Dynamic Impact

Dynamic Impact got the nod in an ultra-tight photo finish in Saturday’s $500,000 Illinois Derby Saturday at Hawthorne, a victory that could put the 3-year-old son of Tiznow on course for a start in the May 17 Preakness (G1).

Tiznow’s progeny have now earned more than $2.2 million in 2014, which has the WinStar stallion poised to enter the top 5 on this year’s General Sire list.

The nine furlong Illinois Derby was headlined by Midnight Hawk, the 2-5 favorite who set all the pace. Dynamic Impact kept the leader well within his sights though, never more than two lengths off the lead at any point.

Midway in the stretch, Midnight Hawk was up by a length and a half, but began to tire as he approached the wire. Dynamic Impact found another gear in the final sixteenth, surging alongside the leader. The two hit the wire exchanging head bobs, with Dynamic Impact getting to the line first.

The final time on a fast track was 1:49.07.

“He was training really well at Keeneland and I had to think long and hard about whether to run him in the Lexington (run at Keeneland on Saturday as well) or the Illinois Derby,” trainer Mark Casse said. “I kind of thought Hawthorne is similar to Oaklawn, so I thought we would have a bit of an edge going in there.”

The victory, worth $300,000, jumped Dynamic Impact’s earnings to $360,716. He is owned by John Oxley.

Dynamic Impact was bred in Kentucky by Blue Heaven Farm out of the Smart Strike mare Featherbed and was a $125,000 purchase by Casse from the 2012 Keeneland September Yearling sale.

Casse said he would consult with Oxley, but if he chose to go to the Preakness, that would be the colt’s next start.