HOBBS, NM—OCTOBER 8, 2017—Marseille, a lightly raced son of leading sire FDD Dynasty, broke his maiden today (Sunday) when he defeated champion Imperial Eagle by half-a-length in the $150,535 Hobbs America Derby(G3) at Zia Park. Sfs Simple Life finished 1-½ lengths back for third.

Ridden by jockey Jose Ortiz, Marseille jumped to a quick lead and then held while completing the 440 yards in :21.977 seconds into a 13-mph headwind. The brown gelding entered the race off a second-place effort in the September 24th trials where he posted the third fastest qualifying time.

Eric Quintana trains the Colorado-bred gelding for owner Hugo Esquivel. Bred by C. and L. Joiner and D. Kidd, Marseille has compiled a (7) 1-2-0 record and used the $72,256 Derby payday to increase earnings total to $76,757. Marseille is out of the G3 winning Separatist mare Kr Dragonfly.

Last year's AQHA Racing champion 2-year-old Imperial Eagle picked up $24,086 for second to bring his bankroll to $1,813,607. Tony Sedillo conditions the son of leading sire One Famous Eagle for Charles and Christina Robinson.

Freda Draper bred the gray gelding in California from the Genuine Strawfly mare Jenuine Joy. Regular rider Esgar Ramirez was aboard Imperial Eagle.

Sfs Simple Life, an Oklahoma-bred son of multiple stakes sire Carters Cartel, races for owner Carlos Aldama and trainer Martin Orona, Jr. Roberto Valero rode the Reliance Ranches LLC-bred from the Corona For Me mare Back In The Pack. He earned $12,419 for the effort $12,419.

Two races back Sfs Simple Life was claimed for a $7,500 tag at Remington Park. The brown gelding was neck winner in that race. The two-time winner had earned $28,278.

Isadelight, Magestic Eagle, C Twister Seis, Jm Mister Destiny, Frenemy, Apollitical Kitten and Chainman completed the field.