No Looking Back: On the (Real) Derby Trail!

Written by an Englishman!

 

Just to set the facts straight, a Derby is a 1½ mile race for 3yos and is the second leg of the Triple Crown (the other two races being the 2000 Guineas, contested over 8 furlongs and the St. Leger Stakes which is run over 1 mile, 6 furlongs and 132 yards). As most of the English-speaking world pronounces the word ‘dar-bee’, it can safely be assumed that the US versions (pronounced ‘dur-bee’ and run over 10 furlongs normally) are completely different events. To each their own.

 

Now we have cleared up exactly what a Derby constitutes, why is it so important to the Sim World and more importantly, the world of the Bugler Audience? Because, dear Reader, it means that the magnificent beast that is Mambo Wildcat is going to forgo the Triple Crown route and follow the Derby Trail. Just how many he is going to try to win is unknown at this stage and much will depend on what condition he comes back in after tackling the gruelling distance.

 

He has done nothing wrong in the lead up races and has been campaigned flawlessly by jockeymax, winning his last 7 races on the lawns and 9 times from 11 races lifetime. His latest victory saw him take apart a quality field of pretenders to the Derby Crown when only Ready To Go! The 105 speed figure was irrelevant when most of the runners seemed to be running the other way! So, the next question is, “Is there anything out there capable of wresting the Derby Crown away?”

 

I’ve been taking a closer look at the horses that are most likely to feature in the build up to this year’s climax – The Derby de English (writing it like that still seems so wrong to an Englishman!) to be run at Epsom in Week 3245.

 

Shadow Creek (fatattack2) – second rated in the Long Turf Division for 3yo colts and improving with every outing. The only blot on a perfect racing career came in the Breeders Bowl Juvenile where he failed to grab the lead early on and the effort took far too much out of him as he faded into the distance. His 2 starts this year show that he is capable of going further but how important is that uncontested lead going to be?

 

Roquefort (hipica) – suffered a major setback in last week’s ‘All Your Base’ G1 race. He never got going in the race and was soon left behind. This was his 4^th race this year already and the punishing schedule could have taken its toll. Has time and enough points to get a good rest before possibly heading for one of the Australian Derbys.

 

Credit Advantage (oasis3) – tore up the ranks with a convincing win over 11 furlongs and must be taken seriously. Even though the event was ‘only’ Stakes class, it shows how many horses could still be in contention for the Derby Trail.

 

Believe In Faith (wtas02) – has the points to make the Derby Trail but may not have the class to go with it. Seems to be heading towards the longer routes but will need to post triple digits soon, if he is to be considered a serious threat at the level.

 

Exclusive Habit (iant8) – runner up in the benchmark ‘All Your Base’ race to Mambo Wildcat, he has to be respected. The main concern is that he might have been close to his effective distance judging by the way MW went past and the 3^rd placed finisher was starting to run him down as the line approached. He may decide that the Guineas route is an easier option. Only time will tell.

 

Shouldn’t Matter (seekgold) – fourth in the same race and close to the magical triple digit effort. He has won over 9.5 but was starting to drop off in the Grade 1 race. One of four Group winners from the North Light progeny but the pedigree suggests he may be an exception. All his siblings seem to enjoy the sprints (but I won’t tell him if you don’t!). I’d like to see how far he can go and I think he could be aimed at one of the Australian races too.

 

Penitentiary (notaxmax) – down the list of points scorers now and several of these will need to put together a couple of good runs or one really good one to guarantee a place in the big event. But with several of those higher in the rankings beginning to look like they are Guineas bound, he stands a good chance of making it on his own merit.

 

Lagoon Of Love (wabred) – the surface switch at the start of his 3yo career seems to have been inspired. Three from three Stakes events and the last two were over 9.5 furlongs suggesting that he might like even further. Could yet develop into a serious contender but running out of races to put together the points needed.

 

Bagored (zwhisper) – this is my own horse and my best chance to make my mark on the Sim world! He was the only horse in the ‘All Your Base’ to be catching the Wildcat and with a couple more furlongs, he might even have made a race of it! The G1 was a massive step up in trip from NW2L company but he came through with flying colours. He’ll probably need to score one of the Australian races to make the final field but I hope he gets his chance.

 

Also worthy of mention are Sister Awake (lenny5), who has recorded a 3^rd place over 11 furlongs and may need further still, and Silencers (super1), runner up in the same event. (See Credit Advantage above).

 

There are other horses which are better ranked but they seem bound for the trail. I apologise if I missed yours out but I will be doing another article before the big day.