HORSE RACING ROUNDUP : Super Derby Victory Song by Bacharach

Southland-based Soul Of The Matter, in his last race before the Breeder’s Cup Classic in November, defeated co-favorite Concern by a neck to win the $750,000 Super Derby at Louisiana Downs on Saturday.

Soul Of The Matter, owned by composer Bert Bacharach and ridden by Kent Desormeaux, covered the 1 1/4 miles in 2:03 2/5 against a field reduced to six 3-year-olds when two entrants were late scratches.

Soul Of The Matter, fifth in the Kentucky Derby, earned $450,000 for his fourth victory in seven starts this year.

Soul Of The Matter, trained by Dick Mandella, returned $5.80, $3.60 and $2.60. Concern, the Arkansas Derby winner ridden by Jerry Bailey, paid $3.20 and $2.40, while Bay Star, with Pat Day aboard, returned $3.00.

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Blues Traveller edged Fastness by a length to win the $200,000 Bay Meadows Handicap for 3-year-olds. Blues Traveller, ridden by Gary Stevens, covered 1 1/8 miles on turf in 1:46 and paid $6.20, $2.80, 2.40. Fastness returned $2.60 and $2.40 and Wharf paid $3.20.

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Taking Risks, the odds-on favorite, scored a 7 1/4-length victory in the $150,000 Maryland Million Classic at Laurel Race Course.