What a way to break a maiden.
Sarahs Violin and Erik Esqueda were the last on the list to qualify for the $107,100 Harley Green Derby but were the first to cross the wire in the 5th running of the event.
As the longest shot on the board, the duo covered the 350-yard dash in a time of 17.987 seconds.
Starting from post one, Sarahs Violin was ready to go when the gates opened up and got the early advantage along the inside. Lexus Beach and Juan Marquez were right on their outside to challenge the entire distance, but Sarahs Violin never gave in, crossing the wire first in the six-horse photo.
Nachor Favorite and Cristian Esqueda rallied up to finish second over Lexus Beach.
Sarahs Violin made his first career trip to the winner’s circle in the Greene Derby. Overlooked by the betting public, he paid $29.40 for the win.
Sarahs Violin is owned and trained by Librado Barraza. The sorrel son of Encore had seven previous starts, only hitting the board once. The Indiana bred now has more than $60,000 on his card with the stakes win.
“This horse has a lot of guts,” said Esqueda, who completed a riding triple on the day with Sarahs Violin. “In the past, he just had trouble getting good starts. That’s what really counts. In the trial he was really running at the end. I was surprised he got on the lead that easy, and I saw them closing in. I wasn’t going to quit on him. He has a lot of heart.”
