Kopion Rallies to Catch Hope Road in Derby City Distaff
Kopion pulled away mid-stretch to claim victory in the $1 million Derby City Distaff at Churchill Downs.
The daughter of Omaha Beach is owned by Spendthrift Farm and trained by Richard Mandella.
Riding four-wide and in fifth as the field turned for home, Kopion found an opening down the middle of the track and chased down Hope Road before pulling away for a final time of 1:21.76 under jockey Kazushi Kimura. She paid $7.48 to win.
Hope Road held second, and Ways and Means was an even third.
The Derby City Distaff is Kopion’s third straight win and marked her second score at the grade 1 level. She also took last year’s La Brea Stakes (G1).
This story will be updated.
