Margarets Cowboy Surges To $145,000 Altoona Derby Victory

Margarets Cowboy surged to the front late to capture the $145,000 Altoona Derby on Friday at Prairie Meadows, leading a one-two finish for owner Bradbury Racing and John Hammes and trainer John Hammes.

Ridden by Miguel Ramirez, Margarets Cowboy prevailed by a neck over stablemate Jess Want To Know in the 400-yard final. The gelding stopped the clock in :19.945, earning a 90 speed index over a sloppy, sealed track. Fast Draw finished another head back in third.

Bred by Bradbury Racing and John Hammes, Margarets Cowboy is by Flying Cowboy 123, out of the Pyc Paint Your Wagon mare Now Margaret. He earned $65,250 for Friday's victory.

The second-fastest qualifier from the September 7 trials, Margarets Cowboy improved his record to four wins, two seconds and four thirds from 16 starts, with earnings of $174,278. He entered the trials off a victory in the Prairie Meadows Derby Challenge and also won last year's Prairie Meadows Juvenile Challenge.

Jess Want To Know closed well to finish second under Cristian Esqueda for the same owner-trainer connections. The filly is by Jess Good Candy, out of the One Famous Eagle mare Who You Know.

The runner-up effort improved her record to four wins, two seconds and one third from 14 starts, with earnings of $78,925. Earlier this season, she won the Valley Junction Juvenile Stakes.

Fast Draw finished third under Angel Ramirez for owner RVR Partners 23 and trainer Edward Hardy. Bred by Bobby Cox, the gelding is by Moonin The Eagle, out of the Pyc Paint Your Wagon mare Fast N Fancy.

Fast Draw now has six wins and two thirds from 15 starts, with earnings of $156,688. He won the Prairie Meadows Gold Derby in July.

Fastest qualifier Uncle Redheads finished fourth, followed by One Glittering Flare, Atsi Monday, Full Throttle N 25, Aj Lucky Girl, Eagle Of Fire and Blues Your Color.