‘Bald Eagle’ Hatches a Derby Win

Charlie Whittingham has won 74 stakes races here, but it’s doubtful any were more exciting than the $300,000 Del Mar Derby on Monday.

Giving the Hall of Fame trainer, who turned 83 in April, his first graded stakes victory since Aube Indienne won the 1994 Yellow Ribbon, Rainbow Blues won a thriller in which five of the nine 3-year-olds were separated by less than a length.

Ridden by Corey Nakatani for owner Lewis Figone’s Frankfurt Stable, the 3-year-old Bluebird colt, who arrived at Whittingham’s barn two weeks ago after racing 12 times in Ireland, found room when it didn’t seem possible and got up to beat The Barking Shark by a head.

A nose back in third was Mateo, a head behind him was Ambivalent and Caribbean Pirate was three-quarters of a length back in fifth.

The Derby provided the third victory for the 6-1 shot, who covered the 1 1/8 miles on turf in 1:50.

“He’s done well since he came here,” said Whittingham. “He’s done everything like a gentlemen. I was hoping for the best and Nakatani rode like a wild man.”

Nakatani, who has seven stakes victories at the meeting, didn’t think he was going to be able to find running room after trailing for the first half-mile.

“I got lucky,” he said. “I was being as patient with him as I could; waiting for a spot. I had worked him [Aug. 29] and knew he had a good turn of foot. When the hole came open, he went.”

Matty G., the 3-1 favorite, faded to sixth despite an untroubled trip.

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Devil’s Honor won the $200,000 Pennsylvania Derby at Philadelphia Park in a race that saw Prince Of Thieves break down early under Gary Stevens.

Owned by Peter Mitchell and trained by Wayne Lukas, Prince Of Thieves fractured the sesamoids in his right foreleg and was destroyed. The 3-year-old son of Hansel finished his career with two wins in 12 starts and earnings of $368,474.

Ridden by Tony Black, Devil’s Honor beat favored Formal Gold by three-quarters of a length in 1:48 2/5 for the 1 1/8 miles.