Infinite Magic prevailed in a three-way photo in Saturday’s $200,000 American Derby (G3) to give the 3-year-old More Than Ready colt his first graded stakes win in just his fourth U. S. start.
With progeny earnings of over $3.8 million and four North American graded stakes winners this year, More Than Ready is a top-12 sire in both categories.
Infinite Magic took up an ideal inside spot out of the gate, tracking the moderate pace of :49.34 seconds for the half-mile, set by Mongolian. The early leader gave up his spot readily when challenged by the pace-pressing Dorsett turning for home, but Dorsett was just as quickly overtaken by Infinite Magic, who had come between rivals before moving to the inside.
With Channing Hill urging Infinite Magic on to hold off the hard-charging pair of Admiral Kitten and Stormy Len, the wire came just in time for the winner to hold on by a head over Admiral Kitten, with Stormy Len a nose back in third. The final time for the 1 3/16-mile test over firm going was 1:55.41.
Bred in Kentucky by Grapestock LLC, Infinite Magic is out of the Danehill Dancer mare Truly Enchanting. The Kentucky-bred began his career in England, where he won two of five starts over all-weather tracks. He was bought privately by Barry Irwin’s Team Valor International early this year and then brought to the States.
With the $114,000 payday, Infinite Magic more than doubled his career earnings to $167,502 with a 4-2-0 record in nine starts.
