Del Mar Derby : First Norman Gives Gary Stevens ‘Perfect Trip’

Whenever jockey Gary Stevens has ridden in a stakes race recently, everything seems to have gone his way.

A week ago, he won the Sapling Stakes at Monmouth Park, N.J., on Hilco Scamper and the Eddie Read Handicap at Del Mar on Tsunami Slew. Sunday afternoon, Stevens won the $125,000-added Del Mar Derby aboard First Norman in a stakes record-tying time of 1:48 over 1 1/8 miles on the turf.

Stevens described his ride as “a perfect trip.” His horse broke well, the field shaped up the way he desired and his horse made the planned stretch run.

“He broke better than I expected,” Stevens said. “He outbroke the field by half a length. They told me in the paddock he sucks himself back, which is all right as long as it’s not too far back.

“The field was strung out enough that he didn’t have problems. What worries you is when horses back up. They seem to jam up 90% of the time on turf. The way it was today, he didn’t have to worry about that.”

First Norman ran down the early leader, Pretensor, on the backstretch and was ahead in the final sixteenth. Pretensor finished second, two lengths behind First Norman. Catane, a 99-to-1 pick, held off pre-race favorite, Varick, to finish third.

The prizes were $13,500 for first, $6,750 for second and $2,250 for third. First Norman paid $11.80, $6.20 and $4.40. Pretensor, a 19-to-1 pick, paid $17 and $9.80. Catane paid $16.60 to show.

First Norman had finished second to Floating Reserve in the La Jolla Mile Handicap two weeks earlier at Del Mar. However, Floating Reserve faded to seventh in the nine-horse Del Mar Derby field after breaking third.

First Norman responded well to Stevens’ urging. Stevens tapped the horse on the shoulder early, letting him settle into the middle of the field. First Norman was reserved off the early pace, but he found plenty of running room down the stretch when the field became spread out.

Albert Barrera, trainer of First Norman, had a simple explanation for his horse’s win.

“Grass,” Barrera said. “That’s the key to this horse. He’s one of those horses who is very much affected by the surface he runs on. It’s because he either likes a dirt track or he doesn’t. On grass, he gets that consistency and fires every time.”

Barrera said he was unsure what is next for First Norman. He is leaning toward the $200,000 Del Mar Invitational on Labor Day.

“I know it would mean shifting him back to dirt,” Barrera said. “But we’ll have to take a look at it, anyway.”

After the race, Stevens felt comfortable about his decision to travel to Saratoga next weekend for the Hopeful Stakes, where he will ride Hilco Scamper. Stevens also had the option of riding Tsunami Slew in the Arlington Million.

He informed Eddie Gregson, Tsunami Slew’s trainer, of his intentions late last week.

“There were no verbal obligations,” Stevens said. “It was kind of understood that I would ride Hilco Scamper through the year. I wouldn’t feel right taking off from him at this point of his career. He’s undefeated and has a great career ahead. That’s not to say Tsunami Slew doesn’t have a great career ahead. I think he has as good of a chance to win the (Arlington) Million as Hilco Scamper does the Hopeful.”