Hull surges to victory in Derby Trial

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Dale Romans knew he was costing his talented but largely untested colt Hull a shot at the Kentucky Derby when he pulled the 3-year-old out of last week’s Lexington Stakes.

Getting a chance at redemption in the Preakness might not be a bad consolation prize.

Hull dominated the $100,000 Derby Trial on Saturday, easily holding off Kensei by four lengths to win for the third time in three starts.

It wasn’t next week’s Kentucky Derby, but Romans will take it after Hull took control at the top of the stretch then added one final burst after jockey Miguel Mena sensed his mount was getting bored.

“Not just any horse can do that,” Mena said, “only special horses.”

Hull has certainly looked like one during his abbreviated career. He didn’t race as a 2-year-old and didn’t make his debut until February at the Fair Grounds in Louisiana. The son of Holy Bull is having no trouble making up for lost time. His three wins are by a combined 16 lengths.

“When (Mena) asked him to run, he really exploded,” Romans said.

It’s the kind of run Romans worried Hull wouldn’t get when he drew an unfavorable post for last week’s Lexington Stakes at Keeneland, the last major prep race for the May 2 Derby.

Romans scratched Hull from the race, even though it meant co-owner Bill Heiligbrodt wouldn’t get a shot at fielding his third Derby starter.

It was a decision Heiligbrodt agreed to, even if it wasn’t the most enviable option. He’s not complaining now.

“I haven’t had a horse like this,” Heiligbrodt said. “My horses are fast usually, but he’s got that extra touch where he just keeps on going for some reason. You don’t see many horses with that much tactical speed.”

Hull paid $8.80, $5.40 and $4.40 while covering the 7 1/2 furlongs in 1:30.21.

There used to be a time when the winner of the Derby Trial would find a way to sneak into the Run for the Roses, and Tim Tam actually won both races in 1958.

Those days are long gone, but the Trial has become a springboard of sorts into the rest of the Triple Crown. Macho Again won last year’s Trial then finished second to Big Brown in the Preakness.

Romans said he’d have to see which Derby horses decide to head to Pimlico before making a decision, but Mena has little doubt Hull can handle the 1 3/16-mile test the Preakness provides.

“I think he can run any distance,” Mena said.

Hull hardly looked winded when he was finished, even after Mena asked for just a little more when he felt Hull loafing.

“Nobody’s made him run to the wire,” Romans said.

Kensei, piloted by Robby Albarado, tried to muster a challenge deep in the stretch but was no match to Hull’s final burst to the wire and paid $13.80 and $7.40.

Checklist led early before fading to third under Shaun Bridgmohan and paid $9.

Gato Go Win, who was scratched from the Bay Shore Stakes three weeks ago after trainer Jeff Mullins administered an over-the-counter medication to him on the day of the race, stumbled at the start and was never a factor while finishing sixth.