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POMONA, Calif. (Sept. 23, 2006) - Martin Pedroza guided 13-1 shot Sensational Score to an impressive come-from-behind upset victory in Saturday's $100,000 Pomona Derby at Fairplex Park.
Sensational Score rallied from last up the backstretch, circled the field around the final turn and pulled clear in the stretch to cruise to a 3 1/2-length win.
"He felt very good out there today, real strong," said Pedroza, who is the Fair's all-time leading rider with 481 wins.
"I took him back because I felt there was a lot of speed in the race, and then I let him run about three-eighths of a mile. And he took off."
Sensational Score was clocked in 1:51.47 for the 1 1/8 miles, and returned $28.20, $10.20 and $5.20 as the second-longest shot on the board. Quebec Citizen finished second under Omar Berrio, and paid $5 and $3.60. Pacesetter Northern Soldier faded to third, and paid $3.20 to show as the 19-20 favorite.
Sensational Score was bred in Florida and is trained by Michael Machowsky. The 3-year-old colt by Wild Rush has won two of seven lifetime starts for $103,414.
On the Saturday undercard, 6-1 shot Chantell Corona held on by a nose to win the $15,000 Pomona Juvenile Championship for 2-year-old quarterhorses. Ridden by Carlos Bautista, the Texas-bred filly by Corona Cartel sprinted the 350-yard dash in a swift :17.63 and paid $15.60 to win.
Sunday's feature is the 28th running of the $125,000 Ralph M. Hinds Invitational Handicap at 1 1/8 miles. Stormin Away is slated as the mild 3-1 morning line favorite. Pedroza has the call.
First post Sunday is noon.
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