Strong Contender finishes fast in Super Derby

Strong Contender might have given his connections a reason to consider a start in the Breeders' Cup Classic after he overtook favorite Lawyer Ron and went on to a one-length win in the Grade 2, $500,000 Super Derby at Louisiana Downs on Saturday.
It was another 6 1/2 lengths back in third to Louisborg.
The Super Derby is the richest race of the meet and was one of five stakes on a card worth more than $1 million. Robby Albarado rode Strong Contender, and also captured three other stakes: the $200,000 Louisiana Downs Breeders' Cup, the $75,000 Donnie Wilhite Memorial, and the $100,000 Juvenile.
Strong Contender ($7.60) broke last in the field of seven 3-year-olds, and moved into contention in the first turn. He tracked the pace set by Lawyer Ron, who broke well and overtook early leader His Eyes in the first turn. Strong Contender settled in fourth, as Lawyer Ron ran the opening half-mile of the 1 1/8-mile race in 46.77 seconds and six furlongs in 1:10.80.
Strong Contender began his bid on the final turn, entered the stretch three wide, came to Lawyer Ron inside the final furlong, and went on, covering the distance over a track rated fast in 1:48.60.
Strong Contender races for owner John Oxley and trainer John Ward Jr. He earned $300,000 for his fourth win in seven career starts, boosting his bankroll to $621,000.
Point Determined, the 5-2 second choice, never reached contention and finished last of seven.
The Breeders' Cup Classic will be run at Churchill Downs on Nov. 4.
- Kingship ($3.80), trained by Ronny Werner, powered to a 3 3/4-length victory over Electric Chant in the Wilhite, a 1 1/16-mile turf race for 3-year-olds. It was the second stakes win for Kingship, who earlier this year won the Grade 3 Arlington Classic.
- Birdbirdistheword ($14.20) made a sweeping move to the lead into the stretch and held off the charge of Going Ballistic to win the $100,000 Juvenile by a half-length. The 1 1/16-mile turf race was the first stakes on the card. Birdbirdistheword, trained by Ken McPeek, covered the distance in 1:42.93.
- Brownie Points ($14.20) surged through the stretch for a one-length win over Aly's Vow in the $200,000 Marie P. DeBartolo Oaks. It was another neck back in third to favorite Charming N Lovable. Brownie Points stalked the pace in fourth and rallied from along the inside for the win. Luis Quinonez rode the winner for trainer Donnie Von Hemel.