Speed Crazy Vicky Derby – Preview

Preview – The Vicky Derby

With all the attention to the Breeders Bowl, let’s pay a little attention to this Grade I tilt in Victoria.  It pulled in just six entrants for its 13 furlongs, but there are some notable names.  There’s an abundance of horses who ran their heads off early in their recent races, so the pace scenario could be furiously fast.  Let’s take a look:

Japanese-bred OPERA CAMAZOTZ bagged the Italian Derby, O’Neal, and Great Volt this year at 12 furlongs, so distance should not be a problem.  What might be a problem is his propensity to blaze early, a potential liability in this short but speed-crazed lineup.  Still, it’s hard to wager against a horse coming off a 116 speed in a graded race.

SEE THE WAND, this year’s New Yorker winner, not only crossed the Atlantic to tackle the Dutch St. Leger for his last race, but he also unveiled a new, frontrunning running tactic.  Nothing seemed to faze the talented colt, and while he nearly blew a seven-length field, he held on for the big win.  This is clearly a horse of great talent, and he could be especially tough to beat if he can return to a more off-the-lead strategy.

ASTROQUEST is a confirmed frontrunner who just made his stakes debut at a mile and a half on the green.  He had amassed a fine record in turf routes leading up to that race, not having been off the exacta since August 2011.  But last out in the stakes, he could not hold off TETE BARMAJIYYAT’s late charge.  There is improvement and quality here, but maybe these peers will prove a bit too much late in the lane.

ANOTHER HEARTBREAK has been chasing OPERA CAMAZOTZ around in his last two races.  The fact that he has not caught that rival is notable, but certainly this horse is making prominent strides forward himself.  If OPERA and/or WAND are not simply too talented, he could ride his stalking ability to victory.

KING TO GROOM is a King Kamehameha product making his stakes debut in this tough scene.  While he ran a 111 two races back, that’s by far his best race, and he is yet another speed horse.  Hard to see him taking that tack to victory amongst these more accomplished speedsters.

Nice move from REEK to be third in the Dutch St. Leger last time, garnering his first triple digit speed.  He only broke his maiden in June, and while that win and the two easy allowance wins that followed hinted at emerging talent, it is possible that there is no more in the tank to move even further forward against this lot.  He is, however, one of the few able to rate in this sextet.