HANSEN THE STANDOUT IN SOLID WEST VIRGINIA DERBY

HANSEN THE STANDOUT IN  SOLID WEST VIRGINIA DERBY

Champion Hansen is the big draw of 10 horses entered in the $750,000 West Virginia Derby (G2) at Mountaineer Park on Saturday, th signature day of this race meeting. The Mike Maker trained son of Tapit showed no ill effects from tiring in the Kentucky Derby with a dominant, 10-length win in the Iowa Derby (G3) leading up to this. Mike smith flies from the West Coast to ride the long-striding sophomore.

Macho Macho was a nice second in the Long Branch S. last out and has run three good ones since joining the barn of Steve Asmussen. The gray son of Macho Uno has improved and has trained especially well in advance of this one. Illinois Derby (G3) runner-up Morgan's Guerilla, Swaps (G2) fifth Called to Serve, Pegasus S. (G3) standout Le Bernardin and the talented Bourbon Courage add to the depth of this field.

Eight other black-type races are carded totaling $900,000 -- $200,000 Governor's S., $100,000 Juvenile, $100,000 Juvenile Fillies, $100,000 Byrd Memorial, $100,000 Speaker's Cup, $100,000 Chairman's Cup, $100,000 Secretary of State and the $100,000 Senate President's Cup.