The Irish Derby
The Irish Derby, Ireland’s most prestigious race, carries a $1.5 million purse and is restricted to 3-year-olds. Saturday’s classic will be run over one mile and a half (2400m) on turf.
Last year, Amir’s HOF superstar John Stamos defeated Chilimac’s Shady Games and Beerkeg’s Louisville Safe. The two G1 winners in this year’s field both arrive off last-start victories and share favoritism at 7/1. Let’s take a look at the field of 14 runners set to line up.
1. ACE NATION (FR) 3M agakhan1 D.Matas 14/1
Newmarket saddles up Ace Nation (Ace Impact) for URC. French-bred by Irish sire Ace Impact out of Skaftafell, the EOY champion and multiple G1-winning mare, he has raced only five times. He won on debut over 8.5f, coming from the rear to overhaul his rivals impressively, then began his 3yo campaign with back-to-back 9f allowance wins to complete a hat-trick. His two runs since have both been at G2 level. In the 10.5f No Allies in Paris, he settled in the second half of the field before making late ground for a respectable fifth. He then crossed the English Channel to Surrey for the G2 Dante’s Inferno, where he again raced well back early before charging home to finish third, beaten 1.75 lengths. This is his first attempt at 12f, but his breeding suggests he should stay. Still untapped and may be giving some of these a decent start but look for him to be doing his best work late. Definite player.
2. SAVE THE BLANCO (JPN) 3M kate3 J.Wilson 8/1
Atthewire saddles up Save The Blanco (Erupt) for Florida Racing Club. His dam was best over a mile. He had just two juvenile starts, finishing runner-up on debut before narrowly missing the placings next time out. He recorded his first and only win to date at his 3yo return, finishing strongly to take an 8.5f Italian allowance in impressive style. Sent straight to stakes company, he handled the rise well, finishing second in the 9.5f Crosstown Traffic Turf Route at Berkshire. His past three starts have all been at G1 level. He got further back than expected and was unfancied in the Japanese 2000 Guineas at his home track but closed well to finish third over 10f. He confirmed that effort next start at a much shorter price, again making late ground to run second in the Italian Derby. Backing up in the Derby de English, he held a midfield position throughout and never threatened. If you can overlook his last run at 12f and he can reproduce his earlier G1 placings, he must be considered one of the leading chances.
3. HARALD BLUETOOTH (IRE) 3M waremblem5 R.Bokie 11/1
Waremblem5 saddles up Harald Bluetooth (No Nay Never) for Orphan. Unbeaten as a juvenile, he broke his maiden at his first attempt over 6f at Berkshire, then was just as impressive in allowance company, coming from the back half of the field to win well. He made it three wins from three with another allowance victory, settling last early before making strong late ground. He stayed in Germany for his graded debut and justified strong market support, winning over 8f by one length with an SP of 90. He has had only two runs this season. First up, he had too much to do in the Tricky Flue Turf Mile in Norway but closed well to finish fourth of ten. Last start, he went to Deauville for the G2 Griffen over 10f, settled near the rear, and again made up plenty of ground to finish third. This is his first try at 12f, his dam was stakes-placed up to 10.5f. Lightly raced and largely faultless across six starts, he is on trial at the distance, which is the main query.
4. BACKTONORMALITY (KY) 3M awatchman W.Kewmwa 8/1
Willyam13 saddles up Backtonormality (Annapolis) for GR Simsters. He made an immediate impression on debut, winning a restricted Kentucky turf maiden by 4.25 lengths, then stayed home to add a mile allowance. Sent straight to graded company in the G3 Wooden Reserve over 8.5f, he finished well without threatening. He rounded out his juvenile season with a third win from four starts, taking another allowance by more than six lengths. Returning this season, he came from well back to claim the Classic Dowelly Turf Mile at 8f for his first stakes success. In New Jersey’s 9f Forty Wool Turf Route, he raced closer to the speed and finished second, well in front of Pier Janssen, one of the equal favourites here. His European debut came in Paris’s G3 Force Stakes over 10f, where he again settled just off the pace and closed strongly, no match for the winner but earning a career-best SP of 106. His last run in the G1 Jockey Club at Deauville over 10.5f is forgivable, as the bog track dulled his usual finishing burst. There’s no doubt he’s a quality colt, the main concern is whether he will stay 12f at his first attempt.
5. ROYAL SCARLET (AUS) 3M reddead C.Mecklenburg 11/1
Francua saddles up Royal Scarlet (Extreme Choice) for GR Simsters. Lightly raced colt who has had only six starts. He made a strong debut, leading throughout to win an Irish mile maiden easily, then dropped to 7f for the Staying on Turf Juvenile Stakes, where he weakened late and missed the placings. Back over a mile, he settled off the pace, looked a winning chance in the straight, but again faded late into third. After a two-and-a-half-month break, he resumed as a 3yo in another Irish mile allowance and was slightly disappointing, finishing fifth when well fancied. He improved sharply next start when stretched to 9.5f, leading all the way and appearing to relish the extra distance while posting a career-best SP of 102. He then stepped into the 10f Ghostbuster Turf Special in Tasmania and showed plenty of fight, holding off fast closers in a three-way photo. His dam won at stakes level on dirt over 9.5f with no form at 12f. Not out of this but like many here, he is unproven at 12f, and that remains the main query.
6. SAFETY DANCER (IRE) 3F highlanders H.Harzheim 13/1
Derbyking saddles up Safety Dancer (Holy Roman Emperor) for The Mecca. The lone filly and most experienced runner in the race, she has won twice from 22 starts, with 12 minor placings. She was busy as a juvenile, winning over 6f and 8.5f, and made her only graded start that season in Kentucky’s G3 JPMC Jessamine, finishing fifth of six over 8.5f, just over five lengths from the winner. She has improved as a 3yo with the rise in distance after failing first up in a restricted sprint allowance. In the 9.5f Otto You Do It Turf Filly Route Stakes, she settled back and ran on well for a placing, then dropped to a 9f allowance and again filled a minor placing, beaten only half a length. At her first elite-level start, she was last early before making late ground without threatening in the G1 Stormy Stakes for fillies. She then performed admirably against the boys in Ireland’s G2 Derby Stud Trail Stakes, finishing third over 10f. Last start in the Japanese Oaks, she tried 12f for the first time, raced closer than usual, and sustained a long run to finish an impressive third. Takes on the boys but she’s use to that. Definite claims here.
7. A BROKEN BRAIN (AUS) 3G redhill10 D.Ledwith 7/1
Redhill saddles up A Broken Brain (So You Think) for The Mecca. His dam was unplaced in her only start over 12f, but this colt is already one of only two G1 winners in the field after capturing the Japanese Derby last start. He failed to win as a juvenile, though he was often thereabouts and did manage a minor placing. He began his 3yo season back at the 6.5f sprint trip, where he showed early speed but was pressured throughout and weakened into fourth. Stepping up sharply in distance next start, he led all the way to break his maiden over 9.5f in restricted company in NSW. His trainer’s confidence grew after an easy win in an 11f allowance at the same track, suggesting he had genuine G1 potential. Despite being overlooked by punters in the Japanese Derby, he produced a dominant front-running performance, controlling the race from the outset and cruising home by 2.5 lengths with a career-best SP of 105. A progressive colt with a strong chance to make it back-to-back G1 wins.
8. HUSHWING OZ (AUS) 3M fatbob L.Montgomery 10/1
Hushwing saddles up Hushwing Oz (Brazen Beau). He won three times as a juvenile, including a stakes placing in the Wooded Head Turf Juvenile at only his fourth start. He began this season below his best, finishing well back in a mile allowance, before bouncing back to win over the same trip on an off track, a surface he appears to enjoy. He then claimed his first stakes win as a short-priced favourite in the War City Turf Route over 8.5f, but disappointed next start when again favored and well beaten over 9f in stakes company. That did not stop his trainer from trying the G1 Rosehill Classic over 10f, where he was never a factor. Dropping back to stakes grade, he placed over 9f in the La Grooms Wood Turf Route, then finished just outside the money in the 10f Top Jimmy Turf Route. He started favourite in Surrey’s G2 Dante’s Inferno and made some late ground to finish midfield, but failed to stay 12f in the Japanese Derby, weakening badly and beating only one home. Back to 10f in South Africa’s World Weekly News 2000, he passed only a few tired runners and was again beaten a long way. He has been busy this season, but this looks too tough; something easier over a shorter trip would suit better.
9. EARN MY TOWN (JPN) 3G cwk8 J.Castillo 19/1
Neonshadow saddles up Earn My Town (Tanino Frankel) for Florida Racing Club. The least experienced runner in the field, he has had just four starts and is by Frankel’s son Tanino Frankel. His dam raced once over 12f, placing on dirt. He won on debut as a 2yo in claiming company, then remained in New Mexico for his next two starts. Resuming as a 3yo, he surprised with a strong midpack finish to win well, then improved again next start, striding clear in the straight to score by 4.75 lengths. That earned him a step into stakes company, where he struck a wet track in Texas for the Many Come Turf Route Stakes over 8.5f. He finished well to run second, though he never threatened the dominant leader. Has won three from four but this is a massive class rise, and the distance also poses a serious question. Others appeal more.
10. CHOICE OF FLAG (ENG) 3G stalbrabant24 B.Doherty 15/1
Stalbrabant saddles up Choice of Flag (Flag of Honour) for DUR. A dual acceptor for the stable, he was kept busy as a juvenile with 10 starts. He earned runner-up cheques at his first two outings on dirt before switching to turf and breaking through in a 6f Kentucky maiden. Sent straight to stakes grade, he picked up a minor placing in the 5.5f Ernies Tears Turf Juvenile. After an unplaced dirt run, he returned to turf for his second win, this time in a 4.5f claimer. Two further failures on dirt appeared to end that experiment, and he has raced exclusively on turf in his past five starts. Following an unplaced effort in the 5.5f Sharp Bend Turf Juvenile, he ended the season impressively, coming from midfield to sweep past his rivals and win by three lengths. Connections then gelded him. He began his 3yo campaign over 9.5f in allowance grade and was far too good, before handling the rise to G3 company in Germany’s Jargon Stakes, outrunning his odds to finish second. Can be forgiving for his failure in his next run at Deauville in the 10.5f Jockey Club when he hit a wet track. The main concern is the 12f trip, which he tries for the first time.
11. FRANKSTRIKER (GB) 3M pharaoh0 H.Artack 10/1
Seacadet saddles up Frankstriker (Frankel). A lightly raced colt whose career has been spent entirely in European route races. He began with a minor placing in a Newcastle maiden, then returned from a two-and-a-half-month spell to break through over 8.5f in Paris. He failed to make an impact in allowance company at Berkshire to close his juvenile season. On his return as a 3yo over 9f in allowance grade, he held on for third despite weakening late. A first attempt on dirt over the same trip was respectable, finishing just outside the placings. His latest run was clearly his best: stretched to 10.5f, he led throughout, drew away by 3½ lengths, and posted a career-best SP of 105. This is a major rise in class, but he shapes as though 12f may suit and looks a definite player.
12. BONESLAUGHTER (KY) 3M whaleboner V.Kendall 8/1
KSparrow saddles up Boneslaughter (Kingman) for DUR. He built a solid juvenile record from seven starts, winning on debut over 4.5f before returning from a short break to score again over 6f. His first stakes test came at his fourth start in the 7f Northern Quest Turf Juvenile, where he weakened late but still held third, beaten more than eight lengths. He then finished his juvenile campaign with wins three weeks apart, leading throughout in a 7f allowance before edging home by the narrowest margin in the Now I’m the Boss Turf Juvenile over the same trip. His first unplaced run came when stretched to a mile in the G2 Fainting Goat Nightmare Stakes, where he was never a factor. He then disappointed in the G1 Vermont is 4 Lovers, beating only one runner home, before dropping in grade and rebounding in Florida’s Prospect Learn Turf Route Stakes over 8.5f. That earned him a trip to Japan for the 2000 Guineas over 10f, but he weakened badly from midfield and failed to beat a runner home. His past two starts, both stakes grade races over 8.5f two weeks apart, have produced minor placings. Talented, but this 12f elite-level test looks a difficult assignment.
13. PIER JANSSEN (GB) 3M stalbrabant9 K.Ledwith 7/1
Stalbrabant saddles up Pier Janssen (Palace Pier) for DUR. Last-start winner of the Derby de English, he was heavily campaigned as a juvenile, racing a total of fourteen times and recording his first notable success in a 4.5f allowance. Inconsistency followed, though he did manage a fourth in the G2 Vintage at Newcastle over 7f. He opened his 3yo season with a fast-finishing third in the Z Celebre Turf Route Stakes over 9f, then was never a factor in the Forty Wool Turf Route after settling too far back. Tried over 9.5f next, he again finished strongly but was still 2.5 lengths off the winner. His last two starts have been his best, both coming with more distance and stronger company. He proved he belonged at this level by winning the G2 Hogwarts in Paris over 11f, coming from last with a powerful run to score by three lengths. He then earned a shot at the Derby de English and, despite settling near the rear in a 20-runner field, finished brilliantly to win over 12f with a career-best SP of 106. He has yet to string three strong runs together, but the rise in trip has clearly suited, and he brings the strongest credentials into this race.
14. SEA CAPPELLA (ITY) 3M alfalvi4 T.Ace 8/1
Alfalvi2 saddles up Sea Cappella (Cappella Sansevero). By the little-known Italian G3 winner Cappella Sansevero, whose €3,000 stud fee is modest compared with many of these well-bred colts, he has already shown useful ability. He came to hand quickly as a juvenile, winning two of four starts and placing in the other two while posting solid 2yo speed figures. He resumed this season with a placing in a 9f allowance, then stayed in Germany and improved his SP when finishing runner-up again over the same trip. Stepped up to graded company over a mile, he struggled to make ground and finished well beaten, the first unplaced run of his career. His trainer kept faith, pressing on to Surrey for the G3 Dee Stakes over 10f, and was duly rewarded when Sea Cappella produced a well-timed run to score by half a length with an SP of 96, his first graded victory. On a wet track in Deauville for the G1 Jockey Club over 10.5f, he settled well back before launching a long, sustained finish, but could not reel in Jet Set Kat, the tearaway leader who looks a potential superstar. He now tries 12f for the first time. He was impressive last time out despite being beaten. Progressive, he has answered each rise in grade so far but must be taken on trust at the trip. One of the main contenders.
Veeman’s Selections
(1ST) 13 – Pier Janssen
(2ND) 14 – Sea Cappella
(3RD) 7 – A Broken Brain
(Longshot) 1 – Ace Nation
Probable Speed Map
Front – 5, 7, 11
Mid – 2, 4, 9, 10, 12, 14
Back – 1, 3, 6, 8, 13