Two Rivers Over Steps Up to Win Zia Park Derby

Southern California shipper Two Rivers Over pressed the pace before taking command at the top of the stretch and held off late bids from Heroic Move and Red Route One to win the $300,000 Zia Park Derby by two lengths Nov. 28 at Zia Park in Hobbs, N.M. Luis Fuentes rode the Tamarkuzgelding for trainer Doug O'Neill and owners Todd Cady and Ty Leatherman. No White Flagsis named for the mantra of New Orleans Saints special teams legend Steve Gleason, famous for his blocked punt recovered for a touchdown in the first post-Katrina game at the Louisiana Superdome and now stricken with ALS. The son of Union Ragsset the pace (fractions were unavailable due to a timing malfunction) with Two Rivers Over sitting about a length back to the outside. As the pacesetter faded, Two Rivers Over assumed the lead and then spurted clear coming out of the turn, lengthening his advantage through the stretch. The Zia Park Derby was the first stakes try for Two Rivers Over, who took nine starts to break his maiden but has flourished since joining the O'Neill barn with three wins in his last four races. The winner's share of the purse more than doubled his career earnings, which amount to $313,851 from a record of 4-0-5 in 13 starts. The final time of 1:41.25 for 1 1/16 miles was a track record, eclipsing the mark that stood for nine years by more than a half-second. The prior record was set by Alert Bay in this race in 2014. Two Rivers Over paid $29.40. The bay gelding Two Rivers Over, bred in Kentucky, is the first foal to race out of the winning Cowboy Cal mare American Cowgirl. Tamarkuz, by Speightstown, stands at Ballycroy Bloodstock in Loretto, Ontario, Canada, for a $4,000 fee. Flying Connection Coasts in Zia Park Oaks One race earlier, 1/9 favorite Flying Connection opened up when asked and easily won the $300,000 Zia Park Oaks by five lengths while geared down by jockey Joel Rosario. Love Tank was second to Flying Connection for the third time this season, with Magic Bubbles third. The time was 1:42.29 for the 1 1/16 miles over a fast track in southeast New Mexico. The Nyquistfilly was an easy choice on paper. Owned by Brad King, Randy Andrews, Chris Coleman, Jim Cone, Suzanne Kirby, and Lee Lewis, Flying Connection won the Sunland Park Oaks in March, which led to a sixth-place finish in the Kentucky Oaks (G1). She also ran second in the Torrey Pines (G3) at Del Mar in September. Flying Connection paid $2.10 across the board. The Oaks was the fourth stakes win on the afternoon for Rosario and third for the Zia meet's leading trainer, Todd Fincher. Zia hosted seven six-figure stakes Tuesday on "Land of Enchantment Day."