HOLYWOOD DERBY

(GRADE 1)

IN America, it’s all about the dirt. Most horses are tried on the dirt first. Hell, first, second, third, fourth … eventually if they’re failing on the dirt, they’ll try the turf.

For Mo Town, he tried the dirt seven times, actually winning the Grade 2 Remsen in his third start, before he hit the skids and lost four in a row.

In October, trainer Tony Dutrow switched the son of Uncle Mo to the turf, and, voila, the bay colt blitzed six allowance rivals and signified his reclamation.

Mo Town returned to the stakes docket in the Hollywood Derby at Del Mar last Saturday. Sent off second choice in the field of nine, the bay colt settled well off the pace before roaring to the lead in deep stretch to score by a dominant length.

Owned by Mrs. John Magnier, Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith and Team D, Mo Town will certainly make his presence felt in the open turf division next year.