Sun Mar 16 20:22:43 2008

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WinStar Derby goes to Liberty Bull

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Sunland Park, NM (Sports Network) - Liberty Bull, ridden by Gerard Melancon, overtook Screen to Screen down the stretch to win Sunday's $600,000 WinStar Derby at Sunland Park.

The sixth running of Sunland Park's high-profile event had a nine horse field after the scratch of Capetown Royal. All nine thoroughbreds broke from the gate in good shape with No Jepordy taking the lead at the start.

No Jepordy, with Corey Nakatani riding, led the field around the clubhouse turn with Screen to Screen to his outside in second. Running third was Liberty Bull and Ablaze with Spirit in fourth.

With a half-mile to go, No Jepordy and Screen to Screen were on even-terms and Liberty Bull continued in third. Coming out of the final turn No Jepordy and Screen to Screen were still on the lead as Liberty Bull loomed on the outside.

With a furlong to run, Liberty Bull took a short lead over Screen to Screen as No Jepordy began to tire. Liberty Bull increased his lead in the final yards and went on to win by two lengths over Screen to Screen.

Finishing third was Ablaze With Spirit followed by No Jepordy, Deputyville, Cape Time, Poni Colada, Banker's Way and 8-5 favorite Winsome Charm. Poni Colada was the winner of the track's Borderland Derby last month.

The time for the 1 1/8 mile WinStar Derby was 1:49.82 on a fast track.

Liberty Bull, trained by Tom Amoss for Kenneth Maier, registered his third career win in six starts. Sunday's victory was worth $300,000 to bring the colt's lifetime earnings to $403,592.

The gray son of Holy Bull was coming out of the Southwest Stakes at Oaklawn Park where he finished in a dead-heat for third behind the winner Denis of Cork. He won the Smarty Jones Stakes at Oaklawn in January as the 2-1 favorite.

Liberty Bull paid $8.00, $4.60 and $2.80. Screen to Screen returned $8.20 and $6.00, and Ablaze With Spirit paid $2.80 to show.