Vekoma colt uncorks big rally to win Riley Allison Derby

Daneyko came from last to first to get his first stakes victory on Jan. 18 in a thrilling renewal of the Riley Allison Derby at Sunland Park.

The 3-year-old Vekoma colt came from 10 lengths off the pace at the midway point to best Way Beyond by a nose on the wire following a scintillating stretch duel. Way Beyond, who was much closer to the early pace, had taken the lead just before turning for home, but Daneyko was flying past horses and was soon side-by-side with the new leader.

Way Beyond began to drift out and carried Daneyko to the middle of the racetrack as the duo separated themselves from the rest of the field. Daneyko won the battle to the wire by a nose, with the third-place finisher some 14 lengths behind the top two.

After finishing second in the Lost in the Fog Juvenile on Dec. 30, the Riley Allison was Daneyko’s first stakes win and the second stakes winner of the year for Vekoma. Daneyko was bred and is owned by Roys Mansur.

Vekoma, who was the champion Second-Crop sire of 2025 and First-Crop sire of 2024, is standing this year for $100,000 S&N.