Hero of Order holds on at astronomical odds in Louisiana Derby

Hero of Order holds off Mark Valeski

Hero of Order (Sharp Humor x Ocean Sprite by Ocean Crest) shocked us all in Fair Ground’s Grade 2 $1 million Louisiana Derby at odds of 109.40-1.

Hero of Order broke second under jockey Eddie Martin Jr, before inheriting the lead from the fading Comisky’s Humor as the field turned for home. He stayed on for a half length win over 3/2 favorite Mark Valeski while completing the 9 furlongs distance in 1:50.13 seconds.

Eddie Martin doesn’t own a huge reputation, but has won more than a few big races in his time as a race rider. He had never won his hometown Louisiana Derby though.

“Well, he (trainer Gennadi Dorrochenko) told me just to ride him and it worked. I was surprised I didn’t get pressured more than I did. You know, I had my target in front of me and he just let me inherit the lead around the turn and off we went.” said Martin.

Russian immigrant and former jockey Gennadi Dorrochenko owns and trains the winner.

“We run horses together, Eddie and me. I told him exactly what he wants to do, he do and he wins.” remarked Dorrochenko.

“Eddie is best jockey. We are around horses together, I give him chance. A lot of jockeys have ridden him and everything but he do exactly what I tell him, he wins.” Dorrochenk said.

Hero of Order was purchase for only $3k at the 2010 Keeneland September Sale.

“You see, I brought not expensive horses but I make these horses expensive.” Dorrochenko happily said.

Sadly, Hero of Order is virtually guaranteed not to make the starting gate for the Kentucky Derby on May 5. He is not Triple Crown nominated. For him to make the race, the connections would have to supplement for $200k and hope that less than 20 Triple Crown nominees enter the race. The odds of that are very, very slim.

It was discovered that second place finisher Mark Valeski competed without one of his shoes and exited the race lame.

Rousing Sermon came on late to pass Cigar Street for third place honors.