By Stephanie Corum – September 1, 2014
The Bob Magness Memorial Arabian Derby (G2) had a bit of unexpected drama at the beginning of the race. RB Code, who was breaking from post position #1, veered towards the gap just after the start and unseated rider Yamil Rosario. Fortunately, neither horse nor jockey appeared to be injured.
The rest of the field was closely bunched racing past the stands for the first time. A Class Act was on the lead followed by Burning Fleet, favorite RB Champagne Taste on the outside of him, and Quick And Rich on the rail in fourth. These horses stayed within a few lengths of each other while A Class Act ran the first six furlongs in 1:20.13. He surged ahead and opened a comfortable lead with three furlongs remaining, and RB Champagne Taste and Quick And Rich took up the chase. Rosebrook Farm’s RB Champagne Taste lacked enough rally, but Tom and Joyce Fritz’s colt Quick And Rich closed steadily in the stretch. A Class Act and Quick And Rich were both getting leg weary at the end of the race, but Quick And Rich had the momentum. He ran down the leader late to win by 1 ½ lengths under Victor Carrasco. The final time for the 1 ¼ mile race was 2:18.44. A Class Act, owned by Cre Run Enterprises LLC, ran a good race to be second with RB Champagne Taste in third. RB Rich, Burning Breeze, Burning Fleet and RB Djustify completed the field.
Quick And Rich (by TH Richie) is the only foal out of multiple stakes winner Quick Noon, by Highnoon Eclipse. He was bred in Michigan by his owner and trained to victory by Randy Nunley. This is his first stakes win, although earlier this year Quick And Rich finished second in the Arabian Diamond State Stakes (G2) also at Delaware Park. His cumulative record is 2/8(3-3-3)1-2, $37,268.
