Dragoon Guard Dominates in Grade 3 West Virginia Derby
(August 6, 2024 – Mountaineer Park, West Virginia) In an impressive display of form, the 3-year-old colt Dragoon Guard secured a decisive victory in the Grade 3, $500,000 West Virginia Derby at Mountaineer Park on Sunday evening.
Trained by the in-form Brad Cox, the Arrogate colt built on his previous gate-to-wire triumph in the Indiana Derby (G3) on July 6, delivering another front-running performance to win his first attempt at the 1 1/8-mile distance. Jockey Florent Géroux expertly guided the Juddmonte Farms homebred, who faced little pressure down the stretch to cross the finish line 2 3/4 lengths ahead of runner-up Dimatic.
“It was a solid performance,” said Cox, who secured his first West Virginia Derby win. “He took another step forward, and we’re very proud of him.”
Dragoon Guard, the heavy 7-10 favorite, returned $3.40 to win and has now won four consecutive races, solidifying his status as one of the rising stars in the 3-year-old division. The colt’s earnings stand at $625,860 after his latest triumph.
West Virginia Governor’s Stakes (G3)
In the supporting feature, the $200,000 West Virginia Governor’s Stakes (G3), trainer Brad Cox and jockey Florent Géroux teamed up again to saddle the winner, Hit Show. The 4-year-old Candy Ride colt rebounded from a recent loss to prevail by a half-length over Heroic Move, earning his second graded stakes victory.
“He ran really well,” Cox said of Hit Show’s gutsy performance. “He really had to dig in to get the job done.”
The action-packed weekend at Mountaineer Park showcased the talent and depth of Cox’s barn, as the accomplished trainer and Géroux demonstrated their prowess in both the featured Derby and the Governor’s Stakes.
🔗 Source