The road to the Kentucky Derby started with a stumble for Hansen.
The champion 2-year-old colt of 2011 tasted defeat for the first time when Algorithms ($7.00) blew by him in the stretch to take the Grade III, $400,000 Holy Bull Stakes at Gulfstream Park by five lengths under jockey Javier Castellano.
Hansen had won all three starts last year in wire-to-wire fashion, including a victory in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile.
At the start of Sunday’s Holy Bull, Hansen stumbled out of the gate but quickly recovered to grab the lead and set a quick pace of :45.67 for the half-mile, opening up almost a five-length advantage.
However, Algorithms, the second choice in the wagering behind Hansen at 5-2, began making up ground from third and just kept on coming, taking the lead from Hansen at the top of the stretch and never looking back.
Hansen, the 4-5 favorite, lasted to be second over My Adonis<NO1>, while making his first start since the Nov. 5 Breeders’ Cup.
The connections of both horses didn’t indicate where they would start next.
Congratulations to Michael Beychok, who became racing’s latest millionaire when he won the Daily Racing Form/NTRA National Handicapping Championship by one dollar to claim the $1 million top prize.
Starting Friday and running through April 20, the New York Racing Association will offer a guaranteed $150,000 Late Pick Four to go along with its $250,000 guaranteed Late Pick Four every Saturday at Aqueduct.
SUNDAY’S CARD
1ST: Rock Star Royalty shot through an opening along the rail under apprentice Kevin Navarro before drawing off to win going away. Pacesetter Valuable Lady lasted for second over Soldierette, while chalk Twillerbee never got involved.
2ND: Trainer Bruce Brown swept the early double when chalk Pop Pop’s Smyle prevailed to break her maiden in her second start.
4TH: Media Starlett rolled up the rail to make it two in a row, having won an allowance race at Parx in his prior start, while chalk Winnie Dixie settled to be a distant second.
5TH: After running second as the chalk Jan. 7 against a similar bunch, Tax Return was let go at 7-2 and made them pay, catching Timothy’s Boy in the final strides. Watch for Firebay next time. He broke poorly in his debut before rallying for third.
7TH: Cooper River took over from Verbosity in mid-stretch before holding off the late run from chalk So Scott, giving jockey David Cohen his second on the day. Cohen also won the third aboard Lost Badge.
