Bent On Bourbon Captures Iowa Derby

Bent on Bourbon, a tough-luck second at Keeneland Apr. 12, graduated at third asking sprinting seven panels at Churchill Downs on GI Kentucky Derby day and came right back to annex a one-mile optional claimer there May 29. Making his graded stakes debut going two turns for the first time here, the dark bay tracked the pace from third through a half-mile in :47.43 and moved to the front turning for home. Set down for the drive by Javier Castellano, Bent on Bourbon drove clear in the stretch to post a decisive decision. Favored Hillbilly Royalty (Langfuhr) tired in the stretch after setting the early pace.