Binzaman, SISSON’S ALLEY rock Texas!

By ITCH

Binzaman’s SISSON’S ALLEY, a 3yo scratch-bred son of Flower Alley using Storm Cat as the dam-sire, grew by leaps and bounds on Saturday here in the Grade 2 $300,000 Texas Derby, and forever stamped himself a graded winner with a giant run home to win going away.

Coming into the race as the final qualifier in a field of 12, Sisson’s Alley was only ranked No. 773 in the 3yo Classic Division. So much for that. He’ll rocket way up the rankings with this Grade 2 score, which was captured in explosive fashion.

Reserved early in seventh, Sisson’s Alley raced alongside RIGHTEOUS BEEF in the early stages while TOUGH GUY was proving himself best of the speed horses up front. Ranging up toward the leading group on the turn, Sisson’s Alley quickly became the eye-catcher when he blew by favored INDY PROSPECTOR at the head of the stretch. At the rapid rate he was approaching, it was apparent that Sisson’s Alley was going to have no trouble passing the leader. He went by Tough Guy in mid-stretch and drew away to an emphatic 2-plus length victory. Tough Guy proved himself plenty tough in holding on for the place money over Lenny’s RAGE OF THE TITANS, who was closing strongly late and might have been second with a few more jumps.

The Texas Derby was a disappointment for Bluegrass Derby hopefuls Indy Prospector and GARDEN SOCIETY, both of whom missed the board. Garden Society never fired, while Indy Prospector raced an up-close fifth. Maybe that long trip to Texas from Dubai was a bit much.

So, it turns out none of the horses will be shipping from Dallas to Louisville, but you might see the winner show up in Baltimore in June.