Hence made a sweeping last-to-first move in the final furlong to take the G3 Iowa Derby by one-and-a-half lengths at Prairie Meadows July 7.
The three-year-old son of Street Boss was settled in last through the early stages of the race, trailing the field by as much as eight lengths through the early going. He began to rally on the far turn, making up ground while sweeping five-wide.
In the stretch Hence began to reel in McCormick (by Hard Spun), who had finally taken the lead while being pressured throughout. McCormick looked to have the race won, but couldn’t hold off the late charge of Hence, who zoomed past him nearing the wire to claim the victory.
Racing as a homebred for Calumet Farm, Hence is out of Floating Island, by A.P. Indy. Floating Island – who has been confirmed in foal to champion Nyquist for 2018 - is a half-sister to multiple Graded Stakes winner Pico Teneriffe (by Red Ransom), the dam of two-time Canadian Champion Older Horse, Marchfield.
Street Boss is the sire of 2017 Stakes winners Rapper Dragon, winner of the Hong Kong Derby (a local G1) and the G2 Chairman's Trophy; Street Surrender, winner of the Southern Truce Stakes; and Big Handsome, winner of the Paradise Creek. He is also the sire of 2016 G1 winners Cathryn Sophia (G1 Kentucky Oaks) and Decked Out (G1 American Oaks).
