Most Wanted needed every inch of the track at Ellis Park as he kept Not This Boy in check to win the seventh running of the $260,000 Ellis Park Derby.

Most Wanted, who is now unbeaten after three starts, covered a mile in 1:35.86 for trainer Brad Cox and jockey Florent Geroux.

Most Wanted got off to a sharp start and sprinted to a one-length lead over Not This Boy while covering the quarter mile in 24.27 seconds. On the final turn, Most Wanted held his position on the inside lane while Not This Boy stayed two yards apart and the 6-5 favorite Who Dey entered the contest after a slow start. Most Wanted continued to close the gap down the home stretch and was able to keep Not This Boy at bay.

Who Dey finished third, 9 ½ lengths ahead of Native Land and Stretch Ride.

“When he started so sharply, I just wanted to make sure we had enough energy left for the home straight,” said Geroux. “He has continued to improve in each of his three starts. I think he is slowly getting better. He just needed some time to understand things, but the way he won today was very professional. When he put in the effort towards the end of the home straight, you could see that he didn’t want to lose.”

Most Wanted, owned by Gary and Mary West, is a homebred son of Candy Ride out of the Distorted Humor mare Beach Walk. With his victory in the Ellis Park Derby, Most Wanted increased his purse to a solid $279,553.