The G2 LA Derby Figures To Be Competitive
The Los Angeles Derby
Grade II
A mile and one quarter
Firm Turf
$500,000
All horses, 3 years old
The LA Derby features 3yo colts going at the classic distance of 1 mile and a ¼ on turf. An evenly matched filed according to the odds maker, as five of the six are between 3-1 and 5-1.
PP #1 Capital Kindness-North Light x Machiavellian x Shadeed, 7-1 with A Lewis up (12.2%)
Stable: Epcotlen Stables(NA)
This filly against the boys comes in off the G2 Heidi Fleiss, in which she was pulled up going down the backstretch. It appears that she got injured. She was the favorite. She was never in contention, as she sat in 4th early, 5th going down the backstretch. She was losing ground already going around the turn, when she was down 27, she finished last. I’m not sure she like to win, as she has three 2nds, five 3rds, and only two win. She has only been out of the money twice in her career though. But, she will need some luck to place in the top three.
PP #2 Foret Noir-Forestry x Galileo x Nureyev, 11-1 with J Pimental up (10%)
Stable: Zeco Stables Belgium(Benelux)
This well bred Forestry colt has not won a listed stakes yet, but came close last out. Last out he raced in the Hawiian Lord Stakes at 10.5f on the lawn. The race was more than two months again. He chased home Tex Gold, who was 4th in the ArkdeComicDog. He was last in the four horse field for the 1st half of the race. He moved into 2nd going around the turn, but he was still down twelve. He closed very fast, but it wasn’t enough, finishing 2nd beat 2 ¼. He earned a 100 speed figure. He should be in the back early, might be closing, but needs a big effort.
PP #3 Skunkmambo Slew-Kingmambo x Seattle Slew x Secretariat, 9-2 with F Gossett up (20.6%)
Stable: Skunkbarn Stables(Blazing Saddles)
This regally bred Kingmambo colt comes in off a big win in the prep for this one, the G2 Cherry Limb Stakes at 9f on the turf. He stalked the pace early, sitting off by 1 ½. He kept his position going down the backstretch. He moved into 2nd, only ¼ length back going around the turn, and he blew away late to win by two lengths under wraps, he earned a 108 speed figure. He is very consistent as he has finished in the money in all of his last seven, and is eleven of fifteen in his lifetime. He will be up close early, and should be there at the end also.
PP #4 Perfect Stranger-Giant’s Causeway x Miswaki x Pleasant Colony, 7-2 with C Wood up (8.1%)
Stable: Afc Stables(GR Simsters)
This Giant’s Causeway colt comes in off an ok effort in the G1 Coffeefields Cup. The race was at 12f on the Japan turf. He seems to either win or not run well at all, but last time out was an exception. He sat a little off the pace early, maintained his position going down the backstretch. He moved into 2nd going around the turn, but was five down. He couldn’t keep pace with the closers and tired badly late to finish 4th beaten 11 ½. He earned a 103 speed figure. He’s finished in the money in nine out of his 16 lifetime starts. He is a G1 winner earlier in the year, so deserves respect.
PP #5 K’s Insatiable-Bernardini x Danzig x Mill Reef, 3-1 with R Simcox up (11.1%)
Stable: Pompeya Thoroughbred Racing Corporation(Hispano Parlante)
This up and coming Bernardini colt has busted 100+ speed figures in his last three. His last race was a disappointment. He probably bounced off his Can’t Breeders Cup effort putting up a 118 speed figure. His last was the G2 Usain Bolt at 9f on the lawn. He had the lead for the 1st half of the race. He lost the lead going around the turn, and tired late to finish 5th beaten seven. He still ran well enough to earn a 107 speed figure. He should have the lead early, he needs slow fractions, not sure he can get the distance, but might be around late.
PP #6 Oopsy Daisy-A.P. Indy x Affirmed x Nureyev, 3-1 with O Brim up (10.8%)
Stable: Moose Hollow Farm(NA)
This blueblood A.P. Indy colt has finally showed his owner why he payed so much for him in his last four, winning by open lengths, and all 100+ speed figures. He has not run in a graded race yet, but won a listed stake last time out, the Haw Haw derby at 9f on the grass. He sat 4th out of five early, held position going down the backstretch. He started to make his run going around the turn, when he moved into 3rd, only down two. He won going away under wraps by three. He earned a 116 speed figure. Should be mid pack early, and should be coming.
PP #7 Storm Kid-Storm Cat x Lemon Drop Kid x Danehill, 5-1 with M Staples up (15.2%)
Stable: Goldsmith Stables(Comedy Central)
This Storm Cat colt has the most races of the bunch. He has had a hard campaign this year, with fourteen races already. Last out he ran against elders in the G3 Allison Stakes at 10f on the New Zealand lawn. He sat in mid pack early, maintained his position going down the backstretch. He moved into 5th going around the turn, but was nine lengths back. He tired late to finish 6th beaten 14 ¼. He should be stalking the pace early, but needs a big effort for a check.
Morning Line-5-6-4-3
Gowans-6-3-5-4
Good luck to all!!