Photo:

Hawthorne Race Course

Ak Sar Ben Derby got up in the final strides to win the 54th running of the $150,000 Hawthorne Derby on Sunday.

A full field of 12 contested the 1 1/8-mile event on a firm turf course, with Oscar Season bet down to the 4-1 favorite in just his second career start.

Clearing from the outside at the start of the Hawthorne Derby was Baxley as he was able to cross over and take the lead when the field passed under the wire for the first time. Baxley had to work a bit to make the top, passing the opening quarter in 23.34 seconds as T’Challa and Alotaluck chased in the bunched-up pack. Slowing things down a bit to pass the half in 48.21, Baxley remained on top while Higgins Boat joined the duo and chased the leader as only seven lengths separated the entire field.

With Baxley leading the field through three quarters in 1:12.72, the field started to spread out on the turn as horses looked for racing lanes into the stretch. With Higgins Boat just off the flank of Baxley at the top of the stretch, Oscar Season, Tough Little Nut and Ak Sar Ben Derby all looked for racing room. As Higgins Boat took a slight lead in the lane, Ak Sar Ben Derby and Tough Little Nut exchanged bumps as they looked for the same hole, with Ak Sar Ben Derby and Axel Concepcion getting through the tight hole first.

Baxley gave way late and Ak Sar Ben Derby was full of run, getting up in time to catch Higgins Boat, winning by a head in 1:49.30. Oscar Season was a game third, and Telescopic rallied late to finish fourth.

Owned by the Millard R. Seldin Revocable Trust and trained by John Ortiz, Ak Sar Ben Derby earned $90,000 for the victory. Sent off at 9-1, Ak Sar Ben Derby paid $20.40, $9.60 and $6.00. Higgins Boat Returned $8.00 and $5.20, and Oscar Season paid $4.40 to show.