Duncan Idaho didn’t make the early lead in Saturday night’s $75,000 It’s Only Money Stakes, marking the first time in seven starts the four-year-old Fiber Sonde colt found himself behind a runner after a quarter-mile.

No matter. Under regular pilot Arnaldo Bocachica, Duncan Idaho surged to take command in upper stretch and had just enough to withstand the late charge of three-year-old Pork Chop Pete, who drew in off the also-eligible list.

The win was Duncan Idaho’s first in stakes company and ninth win overall in 14 career starts and pushed his bankroll past $200,000. Duncan Idaho is trained by Jeff Runco for David Raim.

It also enhanced the remarkable record of Duncan Idaho’s dam, the Indian Charlie mare Holy Pow Wow. Though not much of a racehorse herself – she was unplaced in her four-race career – Holy Pow Wow is the dam of four stakes winners from six to race.

The roster includes near-millionaire Muad’dib, multiple graded winner Late Night Pow Wow, and recent Its Binn Too Long winner Overnight Pow Wow. All three are, like Duncan Idaho, by Fiber Sonde, and were bred by the late John McKee.

The 4 ½-furlong It’s Only Money projected to have plenty of early pace, and that proved to be the case. Breaking from the rail, Honeyquist (4-1), with Reshawn Latchman up, was away best but quickly taking heat from longshot Jefferson Native (49-1) under jockey Javier Rivera. Those two were just a half-length apart but three clear of Duncan Idaho, by himself in third, after whistling an opener in 21.40 seconds.

Rounding the turn, Duncan Idaho began to close in while three wide. Meanwhile, Pork Chop Pete, under jockey Juan Nunez, began his move, as well, following Duncan Idaho.

In the lane, Duncan Idaho seemed to take command, while Jefferson Native began to give way. But just as soon as he seemed to be clear, Duncan Idaho shortened stride while Pork Chop Pete continued his rally and Honeyquist battled on.

In the end, the finish line arrived in time for Duncan Idaho, who held off Pork Chop Pete by a neck. Honeyquist was just a half-length behind the winner and only a neck in front of 24-1 outsider Derby Day Dreams, who galloped out best of all. The top seven finishers – including Nico, Penguin Power, and El Lucerito – were all within two lengths of the top.

Running time for the 4 ½ furlongs on a fast main track was 51.91 seconds.

Off as the favorite, Duncan Idaho paid $4.40 to win and topped an exacta, with 8-1 Pork Chop Pete in second, that returned $19.90 for a one-dollar wager.

Amidships, Gold Fiber, Golden Key, and Irish Wizard were scratched.

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