Shared Belief Remains Perfect in The $500,000 Los Al Derby

Sidelined through the Triple Crown with nagging injuries, the reigning Eclipse Award winning juvenile returned to the races in May with an allowance victory at Golden Gate for trainer Jerry Hollendorfer. Prior to the Los Alamitos Derby, all four of his victories had come over synthetic surfaces and conventional dirt was a question mark despite his multiple graded stakes winning resume.

Shared Belief silences the critics

Ridden for the first time by Hall of Fame jockey Mike Smith, Shared Belief quickly put all doubts to rest and contested the pace early. He assumed the lead approaching the stretch and then took full advantage of the exceptionally long stretch at Los Alamitos to draw off without any urging from his pilot. Sent off as the favorite, Shared Belief returned $3.40, 2.60 and 2.10.

Next stop, Del Mar and the Pacific Classic

Shared Belief remained undefeated from five starts and has now proven he can compete against graded stakes company on both dirt and synthetics. While California Chrome remains king of the West Coast, the throne and three-year-old championship could be in jeopardy. Shared Belief will make his next start in the Grade 1 Pacific Classic at Del Mar in a much anticipated match up against older horses.