Dynamic Impact noses out Midnight Hawk to win Illinois Derby

By: SPORTS NETWORK

Stickney, IL (SportsNetwork.con) - Trainer Mark Casse made the right decision Saturday by scratching Dynamic Impact from the Lexington Stakes to run in the 57th edition of the $500,000 Illinois Derby at Hawthorne Race Course.

Dynamic Impact, sent off at 9-1, caught 2-5 favorite Midnight Hawk at the wire in the 1 1/8-mile stakes and won by the smallest of margins in a finish that was decided by a photo.

Midnight Hawk, second in the Sunland Derby, set most of the pace with Dynamic Impact and jockey Miguel Mena pressing him along the rail. The two 3-year-old colts raced together up the backstretch and into the final turn.

Midnight Hawk, ridden by Martin Garcia, had a short lead entering the stretch with Dynamic Impact second to his outside. Dynamic Impact consistently edged closer to Midnight Hawk down the stretch and drew even as the two hit the wire.

The photo gave Dynamic Impact the nose victory over Midnight Hawk. Finishing third was Irish You Well followed by Class Leader, King Cyrus, A Step Ahead, Emmett Park and Global Strike.

The time for the Illinois Derby on a fast track was 1:49.07.

Owned by John Oxley, Dynamic Impact was also entered in Saturday's Lexington Stakes at Keeneland. He was scratched from that race and proved the decision was correct by claiming his first stakes victory.

The win was worth $300,000 and increases the colt's earnings sixfold to $360,716. The son of 2000 Horse of the Year Tiznow had just won for the first time on March 1 in his fifth career start.

Dynamic Impact paid $21.20, $6.00 and $4.80. Midnight Hawk returned $2.20 and $2.10, and Irish You Well paid $4.80 to show.