McCarron and Cobra King Win the Holy Bull Stakes

Cobra King took the lead rounding the turn and beat Editor’s Note by 1 3/4 lengths Saturday in the Holy Bull Stakes, the first big race of the year for Kentucky Derby contenders.

Cobra King, second choice in the Derby future book, pulled away from Editor’s Note and covered 1 1/16 miles in 1:43 2/5 on a firm track at Gulfstream Park.

Editor’s Note, trained by Wayne Lukas, finished three lengths ahead of third-place Tilden. Gomtuu, the early leader, finished fourth in a seven-horse field for the $75,000 stake.

Cobra King, a California colt ridden by Chris McCarron, paid $3.80, $2.40 and $2.20 in his debut as a 3-year-old. Editor’s Note paid $2.40 and $2.20. Tilden paid $3.

Cobra King, racing around two turns for the first time, ran third in the early going, then passed leader Gomtuu on the outside approaching the quarter-mile pole. Cobra King led Editor’s Note by a head at the top of the stretch and pulled away along the rail.