Mobile Bay, Lavender Chrissie topple favorites at Zia Park

Super Derby (G2) winner Mobile Bay added another big win to his record Wednesday when taking the $218,000 Zia Park Derby. Under Edgar Prado, the 7-2 third choice prevailed over a determined Pain and Misery to win by a nose after a stretch-long duel in a time of 1:43.62 for 1 1/16 miles on a fast track.

There was an 11-length gap back to third-place finisher Bold Conquest, while 13-10 favorite International Star was two lengths farther back in fourth after setting a soft early pace in his first outing since taking the Louisiana Derby (G2) in March.

A Louisiana homebred racing for Tigertail Ranch and trained by Victor Arceneaux, Mobile Bay was a two-time stakes winner in state-bred company before prevailing in the September 12 Super Derby at Louisiana Downs by 2 1/4 lengths. Two weeks later, Mobile Bay was a belated third in the Oklahoma Derby (G3) at Remington Park.

Lavender Chrissie, exiting a second-level allowance win at Keeneland, scored a minor upset over Delaware Oaks (G3) winner Calamity Kate in the $315,120 Zia Park Oaks.

Advancing from fifth during the 1 1/16-mile journey, Lavender Chrissie caught the pacesetting Calamity Kate inside the final furlong and drew off to win by three lengths in a time of 1:44.92 under Corey Lanerie. She paid $9 as the 7-2 third choice. Calamity Kate finished 2 1/2 lengths clear of Sweet Opportunity for second.

Owned by West Point Thoroughbreds and trained by Dale Romans, Lavender Chrissie was unplaced in her only previous stakes attempt, the Eight Belles (G3) at Churchill Downs last May.

(Zia Park/Coady Photography)