TVG Staff Report
The first step into graded stakes company proved a successful one for Masqueparade as the son of Upstart stalked the early leaders before driving home to win the $500,000 Ohio Derby (G3) at Thistledown on June 26.
Masqueparade earned the right to step up in company on the heels of his 11 ¾-length victory in an allowance optional claiming race at Churchill Downs on May 1. Facing the likes of graded stakes winners King Fury, Promise Keeper, and Keepmeinmind on Saturday, the bay colt showed he could handle deeper waters in earning his third win from six starts.
Trained by Al Stall, Jr., Masqueparade rated fifth early on in the 1 1/8-miles test but had advanced to third under Miguel Mena as Hello Hot Rod reached the half-mile mark in :48.08 with Promise Keeper just a head behind in second. As Promise Keeper took over the lead, Masqueparade joined that rival entering the stretch before edging clear for a half-length victory.
“”The timing (of this race) was perfect,” Stall said. “We knew he ran a super-strong number (on Kentucky Derby Day) and we just wanted to give him time. We knew he was coming our way on a day-to-day basis – nothing we were doing, just Mother Nature. He’s a big, strong colt – we figured a little bit more time to get over that race and get picked up for this race.
“He had to fight a little bit today against all the players who have run in better races. I think we acquitted ourselves very well today.”
King Fury came on to grab second with Keepmeinmind running on for show honors. The final time for the distance was 1:50.82 over a track rated fast.
Owned by FTGGG Racing and bred in Kentucky by Brereton Jones, Masqueparade had his first career win come via disqualification in a maiden special weight race at Fair Grounds on March 20. He improves his overall bankroll to $422,208.