HORSE RACING

• Gayego captures Arkansas Derby

  
  

  Hot Springs, AR (Sports Network) - Gayego, ridden by Mike Smith, held off Z Fortune down the stretch to win Saturday's $1 million Arkansas Derby at Oaklawn Park. The time for the 1 1/8 miles was 1:49.63 on a fast track.

  Sent off as the 2-1 favorite, Gayego settled into second behind the leader Tres Borrachos in the 13 horse field. Running right behind the top two was Isabull and My Pal Charlie.

  The top four runners kept their positions up the backstretch and into the far turn. On the turn for home Tres Borrachos began to tire allowing Gayego to take the lead heading into the stretch.

  Gayego was joined on the lead at the top of the stretch by Z Fortune and jockey Robby Albarado. Gayego was able to fight off Z Fortune down the stretch and prevail by three-quarters of a length at the wire.

  Tres Borrachos held on for third followed by Indian Sun, My Pal Charlie, Isabull, Blackberry Road, Golden Yank, King's Silver Son, Jazz in the Park, Ablaze With Spirit, Liberty Bull and Shekinah. Victory Pete was a scratch.

  Gayego is trained by Paulo Lobo for owner Cubanacan Stables. The colt adds $600,000 to his career bankroll which now totals $723,420.

  The three-year-old was coming off a second place finish in the San Felipe Stakes at Santa Anita last month. He began the year by winning the San Pedro Stakes at the southern California track.

  Gayego has now won three of five lifetime starts and was making his first start outside of California in the Arkansas Derby.

  Jockey Mike Smith was aboard Giacomo to win the 2005 Kentucky Derby.

  Gayego paid $6.40, $4.40 and $3.80. Z Fortune returned $7.40 and $6.00, and Tres Borrachos paid $14.80 to show.

  Recent winners of the Arkansas Derby have included Smarty Jones, Afleet Alex, Lawyer Ron and Curlin.

  04/12 19:36:46 ET