February 16, 2011
By Staff Reporter
By John Manley
The Deputy’s Kentucky Derby adventure ended in disappointment for his connections, as well as the multitudes that installed him as the 4.60-1 second choice in the 19-horse field at Churchill Downs. The Irish-bred colt never threatened, finishing 14th, 23 lengths behind Fusaichi Pegasus, the winner.
"He never was in the race," said Chris McCarron, The Deputy’s jockey. "He broke OK, but he never did run a jump. I can’t say it was the track because he has trained well over it all week. He usually is pulling me the whole race. He never took hold of the bridle."
"He just didn’t fire," said Jenine Sahadi, The Deputy’s trainer. "Chris said that he seemed to be struggling, but we don’t know why just yet. He looks like he came out of the race OK."
The Deputy’s previous encounter with Fusaichi Pegasus found the Irish-bred finishing a close second to the Derby winner in the San Felipe Stakes at Santa Anita in March. The Deputy will now return to Southern California, where Sahadi will regroup and consider a summer campaign.
The Irish breeding industry had something to smile about after Manndar won the race immediately preceding the Derby, the $350,500 Woodford Reserve Turf Classic. Manndar sat a couple lengths off the early pace in this nine-furlong Grade I grass race. Corey Nakatani then sent him up to split horses around the far turn. They hit the top of the lane with a three-length lead, holding off Falcon Flight by a length and a half at the wire. Manndar paid $12.20 to win.
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Manndar is a four-year-old son of Doyoun out of Madiriya, a Diesis mare. He covered the distance in 1:47.91. The victory was Manndar’s first in a stakes race, and the third in 12 career starts. He is owned by Andrea Pollack and trained by Beau Greely. The Aga Khan, who owns the Gilltown Stud in Kilcullen, Co. Kildare, bred Manndar.