Gainesway sales graduate Concord Point was in control from start to finish to win the $750,000 West Virginia Derby (G2) on Aug. 7 at Mountaineer Park. The 3-year-old son of Gainesway stallion Tapit was fresh off a track-record performance in the Iowa Derby (G3) last month.
 
A 3-year-old gray or roan trained by Bob Baffert, Concord Point went off the 4-5 favorite despite the presence of Grade 2 winners Exhi (Lexington S.) and Skipshot (Swaps). With regular rider Martin Garcia aboard, Concord Point went right to the front, with Exhi just off his flank through the first quarter mile in a sensible :23.59 seconds. Garcia had his mount well off the rail on the backstretch, with Exhi still the nearest pursuer. After six furlongs in 1:12.37, Concord Point still had a length advantage, a lead he maintained all the way to the wire. The final time for the 1 1/8-miles was 1:51.12.
 
Concord Point was bred in Kentucky by Lee McMillan and Ed Rudley, and was sold by Gainesway at the Keeneland September Sale for $220,000. Racing for Kaleem Shah--who purchased the colt privately after he broke his maiden by daylight two--Concord Point has a record of 4-1-0 in 5 starts, for earnings of $669,260.

Shah said afterward he would talk to Baffert about the next race for Concord Point. He said the Travers Stakes (G1) on Aug. 28 is possible, but it’s Baffert’s call.
 
Tapit has sired 14 stakes horses and earners of more than $3.4 million in 2010.  The champion Freshman and Juvenile Sire with his first crop to race, Tapit now has 27 stakes horses and earners of just over $12 million from his first two crops. His third crop are 2-year-olds of 2010.

Gainesway Sales ranks second among all consignors of Graded stakes winners sold from yearling sales.