Smith’s patience pays off with Derby Effort

Robert G. Smith is a long-time Marion County horseman who has raced with great success at Gulfstream Park and Tampa Bay Downs, and many of his winning performers have been sired by Pleasant Acres stallions. The latest is Derby Effort, a 3-year-old filly by Curlin’s Honor who was the recipient of a great deal of patience from Smith, who is her breeder, trainer and co-owner.

In her first nine starts, Derby Effort managed just a single third-place finish. That ended on Tampa’s closing weekend, where she broke her maiden at odds of 15-1, paying a generous $33.80. Marcos Meneses was aboard Derby Effort, who set a pressured pace in a race at one mile over the turf course, and held off 7/5 favorite Michaela late to win by three-quarters of a length.

Derby Effort was clocked in 1:37.22 and her first winner’s check came to $11,700, raising her total to $17,655.