Hit It Once More sails to victory in the New York Derby

Son of Hard Spun earns first Stakes win in wire-to-wire fashion

Hit It Once More took the lead right out of the gate and never looked back as he cruised to an impressive six-and-a-half-length victory in the New York Derby at Finger Lakes.

The New York Derby was the first Stakes victory for the son of Hard Spun, who has blossomed as a three-year-old. The Gary Sciacca-trained colt now has won three of his four starts this season.

Bred in New York by JMJ Racing Stables LLC, Hit It Once More is out of Sunday Geisha (by Sunday Break), winner of the Trenton Stakes and placed in the Listed My Juliet Stakes.

Hard Spun enjoyed a terrific year in 2015, siring G1 winners Hard Not To Like, Hard Aces, Smooth Roller and Ertijaal. Hard Spun has sired eight Stakes winners so far this year, including such standouts as Le Romain, winner of the G1 Randwick Guineas and Fursa, winner of the G2 SA Fillies Nursery.