Just a few weeks ago, McLain Ward did not have a derby horse in his string. So, he looked to a sales horse named Dakota to point towards the Old Salem Farm Speed Derby.

“I don’t know if he has ever done the derbies before, but I said to some people in the barn that he was going to be the one to win the derby,” recalled Ward, who hails just up the road from Old Salem Farm in Brewster, NY. “I started jumping him through the woods at home. I jumped him in and out of the ring a few times and really just goofed around with him to get him ready. He’s a really game little horse and a real trier.”

Ward and Dakota secured a time of 64.242 seconds over the faults converted course set by Ken Krome of Westminster, MD, which included the use of elements on the Old Salem Farm Grand Prix Field like the table top, ditch, and bank. Ward and his eight-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding by Vittorio clinched the win by more than a second over Pablo Mejia Villa (COL) riding his own RL Real Love. They crossed the timers in 65.933 seconds for second, while Canada’s Mario Deslauriers took third aboard his own Curo in 67.556 seconds.

Molly Ashe (USA) was fourth on Picobello Choppin PC in 68.08 seconds for Louisburg Farm, and Adrienne Sternlicht (USA) rounded out the top five riding Hope Street to a time of 68.727 seconds for owner Starlight Farm.

“I think it’s a fun class and a bit interesting when there’s less and less classes like this in the world,” continued Ward. “It’s such a beautiful field that it’s quite a fun class to participate in. The footing is great and has been holding up well with the spring weather we had today. This show has really grown into a lovely two weeks.”