Newgate Farm shuttler The Factor (USA) continued his recent
run of success when his three-year-old son Multiplier finished fast to claim
Saturday's $250,000 Group III Illinois Derby at Hawthorne.
After being hung up on the rails the Brendan Walsh-trained
colt claimed the favourite Hedge Fund in the final strides to win by a head
with four and a half lengths back to third placed It's Your Nickel.
Making his fourth start Multiplier was winning for the
second time and first at stakes level.
"Turning for home I was pretty sure we were going to get
there," winning rider James Graham said.
"For a moment when Jose's horse (Hedge Fund) spurted away,
he kind of caught my horse flat but Multiplier went right after him all the way
to the wire and got up by maybe a neck."
"He might have
settled a bit too well. He's kind of lazy.
But he has a great career ahead of him. Have you seen him? He's
gorgeous. All kidding aside, he's a beautiful horse and Brendan has done a
great job with him. I'm just happy to be a part of this.
A $US62,000 weanling,
Multiplier is a three-time veteran of the sales ring the most recent when he
was an $US120,000 RNA at the 2016 Ocala Breeders' Sale April 2-year-olds in
training sale.
Unraced at two, Multiplier is the best of two winners out of
the stakes-placed Trippi mare Trippi Street.
The son of The Factor (USA) has earnings of $187,310 from
his four starts.
