Deeply Undervalued pays $15.40 in Commonwealth Derby; big ‘Impression’ in Oaks

Klaravich Stables and William H. Lawrence’s Deeply Undervalued turned out to be the value play in Saturday’s $200,000 Commonwealth Derby (G2), for the 6-1 chance toppled a useful field at Laurel Park. It’s tempting to say he lived up to his name, with the “deeply” part perhaps in the eye of the beholder.

In any event, Deeply Undervalued outperformed his odds in this stakes debut, paying $15.40 and stamping himself as the latest Chad Brown turf performer to follow.

A neck second to tactically advantaged Revved Up in a 1 3/8-mile entry-level allowance at Saratoga, Deeply Undervalued worked out the better trip in the rematch. New rider Manuel Franco gave him time to regroup after a slightly awkward start, and taking the overland route he prefers, the Kitten’s Joy colt surged late to a one-length victory.

“I just let him be comfortable after he stumbled a little bit,” Franco said. “I tried to be covered up, but when it was time to move, I took him to the outside and he made a big run.”

“It was a nice win,” Brown told Laurel publicity from his Belmont base. “I’m really proud of Manny and the way he rode this horse. We’ve been really high on this horse and it’s nice to this this win following up his summer campaign. He got a great trip and a patient ride.”

The form stacks up well: runner-up Isotherm just placed to Inspector Lynley and Camelot Kitten in the Saranac (G3), third-placer He’ll Pay had been second in the Kent (G3), and Kent hero American Patriot was exiting a better-than-appears third in the Secretariat (G1). American Patriot underperformed as the 8-5 favorite here, handed an inside stalking trip yet settling for fourth.

Revved Up can be marked up for his closing fifth. Shuffled back to last at the start, the Shug McGaughey pupil had too much to do. He didn’t help his cause by sticking to his left lead longer than helpful, and he didn’t really take off until deep inside the final furlong. Nevertheless, Revved Up finished with interest, as though crying out for a longer trip.

The final time for 1 1/8 miles on the firm turf was a snappy 1:46.63, not too far off the Exceller course mark of 1:46.00 set by Battle Chant in 2005.

 

Earlier in the $150,000 Commonwealth Oaks (G3), Stuart Janney III’s homebred My Impression created just that with a dynamic 3 1/4-length victory over Noble Beauty. The 9-2 shot burst through along the inside and clocked 1:46.57, .06 faster than Deeply Undervalued.

My Impression now joins On Leave, the Sands Point (G2) heroine, as a turf filly going places for the same Janney/McGaughey team. Interestingly, her form dovetails with On Leave. The Commonwealth Oaks third, Pricedtoperfection, had filled that same spot behind On Leave in the August 25 Riskaverse at Saratoga. Fourth-placer Stella Rose, the 8-5 favorite, was second to On Leave in a Belmont allowance back in July. Stella Rose performed better than her bare result implies in the Commonwealth Oaks, as she was forced to pull out ever wider around drifting pacesetter It’s the Truth down the lane.

My Impression’s rider, Jose Ortiz, alluded to the favorite’s passage in his postrace quotes.

“Going into the turn she [My Impression] was going perfect, and when I hit the quarter pole I was just looking for a place to go,” Ortiz said. “I felt like I had horse but Stella Rose and [Manuel] Franco they were getting out and I was a little worried that I wasn't able to find room as soon as I wanted. But as soon as I saw the rail I went, and she responded very well.

"She gave me a great acceleration. When I hit her the first time and she felt it she started running and after that, I looked at the board and she was an easy winner in just a hand ride.”

“I thought she was very impressive,” Janney said. “Obviously, he [Ortiz] rode her beautifully, as he always does. He found that hole and she just had tremendous kick coming home. I couldn’t have been more pleased with what I saw. I think she is a very good filly.”