Chicago is SPEAKING SCOUT’s kind of town. Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners’ 3-year-old son of Mr Speaker made the trip from Fair Hill to Hawthorne Race Course and captured today’s featured $100,000 Hawthorne Derby Presented by BetMakers.

Sharing top weight of 124 lbs. with Ken McPeek-trained Encourage, he was sent off as second choice at odds of 9-2.  Jockey Jareth Loveberry patiently saved ground on the rail, sitting mid-pack until the final turn in the 1 1/8 miles contest on the firm turf course. When a hole opened at the top of the stretch, Speaking Scout responded immediately and shot through, galloping to an authoritative 5-length score over his eight rivals.

Track announcer Pete Galassi called “Speaking Scout just finds racing room, and in the blink of an eye he goes on by and opens up quickly!”

It was a banner day for Loveberry – Speaking Scout was his fourth win on the card.

Bred in Kentucky by Mike Abraham, the bay gelding is out of the Pleasant Tap mare Miss Scout. Congratulations to Aron Wellman and Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners on this first stakes victory for Speaking Scout!