Steel Ruhlr Goes Straight to Wire in Pomona Derby

Steel Ruhlr, ridden by Victor Espinoza, won the 43rd running of the $100,000 Pomona Derby on Saturday, the next-to-last day of the 18-day meeting at Fairplex Park.

A fourth-place finisher in the Santa Anita Derby Steel Ruhlr made his move on the last turn of the 1 1/8-mile race and went on to win by seven lengths.

Pete The Greek, with Matt Garcia aboard, was second, while General Royal, ridden by Goncalino Almeida, finished third, 3 1/2 more lengths back.

Steel Ruhlr, the 3-2 favorite, was timed in 1:50 2/5 in winning for only the second time in 21 starts. He increased his earnings to $252,348.

Trainer Edward Delaplane, a retired airline pilot from Canyon Country, said Steel Ruhlr will make his next start in the Oak Tree Derby on Nov. 2.

“This couldn’t be any better,� he said. “It’s my first stakes win as a trainer and my first one-hundred grander.

“I was confident going in because he is a nicer horse than he’s shown in the past. He always had a lot of trouble. In his maiden race, he almost lost an eye, but he’s just a tough horse. He tries hard every time.�