Murray Gets First Stakes Win; Hernandez First Minn Derby

Minnesota

SHAKOPEE, MN – Harry Hernandez, leading rider this year and top jock before in Shakopee had won a lot of stakes races here. Erica Murray has been riding for 10 years but a stakes victory had eluded her. Both riders filled that void in their resumes tonight.

Erica Murray can feel her first stakes win aboard Carson Bay in the Minnesota Oaks PHOTO: Coady Media

In the Minnesota Oaks, jockey Erica Murray was in search of her first stakes win aboard Carson Bay and the filly got it for by fighting hard for the lead early, taking a bit of a breather mid-race and then pouring it on late to win the mile and 70-yard contest by 5 1/2 lengths in 1:45.59.

“She couldn’t have handled it any better.  From the moment we broke she just relaxed into my hand and down the backside I was thinking, ‘I’ve got quite a bit of horse,” Murray said. “Every step they took closer she just put it on them.”

“I just couldn’t be happier right now. This is just really unreal,” she continued. “I’ve been riding 10-years now and this is my first stakes win so it’s really special.”

She was then drenched by a jubilant Kelsi Harr in the winner’s circle in celebration and testament to the closeness that has developed in the jocks room with the four female riders in the colony.

Carson Bay is owned by Valene Farms, bred in Minnesota by J & K Farms and is trained by Gary Scherer. She paid $3.60 as the odds-on favorite.  Longshot Vintage Port ($5.60) was second while Wildcat Minny ($2.40) was third.

Harry Hernandez and Sushi Man get a head in front in the Minnesota Derby PHOTO: Coady Media

In a wild Minnesota Derby, Arjun for Karz sprinted out to an early lead but down the backstretch 3-5 Sushi Man took command but was hounded by second choice, Towner Too.  As they turned for home, Towner Too managed to get a head in front but Suchi Man battled back, and it was nip and tuck to the wire where Sushi Man prevailed by a head.

“It really takes a team,” said co-owner and breeder Steve Erban. “We may be the owners but there are a lot of people that worked hard to get here.”

Sushi Man paid $2.80 win and covered the mile and 70-yards in 1:45.71. Towner Too paid $3.20 to place and TC Gold ($4.20) was third.

Sushi Man was bred and is owned by One Bid Stable. The Minnesotan is trained by City Rosin.

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