Dragoon Guard Triumphs in Indiana Derby
Shelbyville, Ind. – In a thrilling turn of events at Horseshoe Indianapolis, the Juddmonte Farms homebred Dragoon Guard proved his mettle by winning the prestigious Grade 3, $300,000 Indiana Derby on Saturday. This victory marks a significant milestone for the talented colt, as he passed his sternest test to date with flying colors.
Ridden confidently by jockey Florent Géroux from the outside post position, Dragoon Guard, a son of the renowned sire Arrogate, showcased his versatility and poise. The gray colt relaxed three wide into the first turn and then effortlessly took control of the 1 1/16-mile race, sprinting away from his rivals to complete the distance in a swift 1:42.26 over the fast main track.
“That was a real nice two-turn debut,” Géroux commented. “He had no issue getting position and waiting on my cue. He was really professional.”
Trainer Brad Cox, who has high expectations for the 3-year-old, was pleased with the performance. “We saw this as a test for him, and he passed with flying colors,” Cox said. “He was a good 2-year-old, but we think he can be a great 3-year-old. He came back bigger and stronger, and we always thought he’d get better as he got older, which is why we gave him that time off.”
The connections of Dragoon Guard now have their sights set on potential upcoming races, including the prestigious Travers Stakes (G1) and the Pennsylvania Derby (G1) at Saratoga and Parx Racing, respectively. With the colt’s impressive pedigree, which includes the legendary mare Flute, the future looks bright for Dragoon Guard as he continues his ascent in the sport of horse racing.
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