October 31, 2009 -- Saturday Nite Fever posted a :19.297 for a powerful win in the 400 yard $200,000 Bayer Legend Derby on October 31st at Los Alamitos. The chestnut gelding is owned by Reyes R. Salcedo.
Saturday Nite Fever broke first on a clear, wind free night. The race favorite continued to build upon his lead for an eventual 1 and 3/4 length win over Skyline Lover. Skyline Lover is owned by James G. Burgess and was trained by Cody Joiner.
Jockey Cody Jensen said, "What can you say when you get beat by a buzz saw? My horse ran a much improved race from last time out. He just couldn't match strides with the winner."
Skyline Lover earned $40,000 for second and Jody's Money Pop, owned by Jim D. Pitts and ridden by Ricky Ramirez netted $20,000 for third.
With Santiago Mendez riding for trainer Hector Hernandez, Saturday Nite Fever earned $92,000 bringing his career earnings to $139,251. He also won the California Derby Challenge earlier this year.
Owner Reyes R. Salcedo said, "We traded for this horse with $5,000 plus a cutting horse. Turned out to be a pretty god deal as he is a Grade 1 winner now."
Saturday Nite Fever was bred by Dutch Masters III and is by Check Him Out out of Dashingatac by First Down Dash.
Full results: Saturday Nite Fever, Skyline Lover, Jodys Money Pop, Call Me Tater, Lady Streakin Leader, Iona Corona, Lassie O Toole, Extraordinaress, Eyesa Dreamin, Quattro.