Opportunistic timed his stretch run perfectly to come away with a head victory in the $75,000 Emerald Downs Derby on July 31, the second straight stakes win for the 3-year-old son of Sky Mesa.
Opportunistic’s run of late includes three consecutive main track victories at two turns, dating back to late March, when he broke his maiden at Santa Anita.
As he did in last month’s Loseth H., Opportunistic used a powerful late kick in the Derby, coming from the back of the back in the final three-eighths to run down the previously-undefeated Barkley in the final strides in a thrilling finish.
The winner is owned by Mark DeDomenico and North American Thoroughbred Horse Company and trained by Michael Puhich.
Sky Mesa is having another sparkling season with his runners, with a dozen stakes horses to date, including Grade 1 winner Giulia.
