The 18th Running of the G1 HOL Derby
November 27, 2021 17:50
DMR Race #8 $400.000 11/8 Turf
3YOs 122 Lbs
Track Record-1:44.48 (Snippets-2009)
Stakes Record-1:44.99 (Compress-2016)
The G1 HOL Derby will be held for the 18th time on Saturday at DMR. Three year-olds will go 9-furlongs on the turf course as they compete for a grade one victory and the $400.000 purse that goes with it. The first ten editions of this race were held at old HOL and the distance was a mile and a quarter before the race moved to DMR in 2014. Diablo Diablo (2008, 2017) and Ken Allen (2009, 2010) are the only HRP conditioners that have been able to claim two renewals of this event and jockey R.J. Albarado (2007, 2010, 2015) is the only three-time winner in the jocks’ room.
This year’s G1 HOL Derby has drawn a field of nine that includes two runners that competed in the G1 BC Turf as well as a recent $2,377.000 private purchase who will be making his first start for a new barn. A lot of options for punters to choose from, so let’s go ahead and meet this year’s G1 HOL Derby field:
#1 Stealth Command (Nakamura Stables/J.K. Court): Rail horse returns here after narrowly missing in KEE G1 last month when going a flat mile. Has early foot to be dangerous from this draw and don’t think he’ll mind the extra furlong today. This will be his fourth crack at graded foes this season; however, he has legitimate excuses for the first two since one was on dirt and the other was over the off going. Think the latest is more indicative of who he is and any improvement could make him dangerous.
#2 Jakarta (Fractious/D. Davis): Ten starts, all in stakes, and winless on the season. He has hit the board in half of those starts and has earned a good chunk of change, but you can’t help but feel like he has left money on the table. Talent is undeniable as he consistently works fast and has competed against the best turfers in his class. You’d just like to see more “oomph” to finish in front when he gets in a battle. The off-track outing in late May is easily his worst race, but the other nine show a horse that is always competitive. Maybe this is where he puts it all together, but it will be without my money.
#3 Ptyrannical (Arindel/J.S. Rocco Jr): Took a SA G2 four weeks ago and looks to build off of that effort in here. That was his first graded score and he may be the “truest” nine furlong horse in the field as this appears to be his best trip. He faces better for this assignment and he will have to show some improvement to best this field. Appears as though he is quick enough to secure a stalking trip and should have every chance to prove his quality coming down the lane. Maybe.
#4 Savannah Ruler (Night Rider Stables/J.R. Leparoux): Took a dirt restricted stake at seven panels before taking WO G3 on the dirt going this distance. Returns to the grass for this for the first time since May. Unlike most of these, he should be somewhat fresh as he will be making only the fifth start of his sophomore campaign. He did break his maiden on the lawn, but his last two wins were the best of his career. He’ll need to show significant improvement from the CD stakes try if he is to factor against this bunch.
#5 Found Peace (Mb Stables/R.M. Hernandez): G1 winner competed on this same turf course in G1 BC Turf just three weeks ago and runs right back for the big barn. He made a move from well back in the BC, but this is a horse that has always shown good early foot so expect to see those tactics for this. If he can stay close while not giving-up too much ground, he should be full of run through the stretch. If he doesn’t show effects from the short turn-around, fully expect him to have a major say in the outcome.
#6 Cantstopwhatscomin (TwinTowersRacing/A. Beschizza): 0-9 in his sophomore campaign and has only hit the board twice. Maybe he surprises, but there is little evidence to suggest the 10th time is the charm. (Punters take note, this could be a reverse KOD angle as I have probably put him in the Winner’s Circle, but I just don’t see it.)
#7 Devil Made Me Do It (Maxmillion Farm/Mario Gutierrez): Another G1 winner who recently ran in the BC, this guy looks like one of the ones in here. Tactical enough to be up close, but displayed some variety to his game in the BC. Trainer has a knack with these types and have to believe there is a reason this guy is running for more money in a G1 than the stablemate who will run on Friday in the local G2. Obvious contender, but he will be returning on short rest, so that unknown may scare some people off….(decidedly not one of those people). Big chance.
#8 Sinissipi Magic (TwinTowersRacing/M.J. Sanchez): Like his stablemate drawn two stalls to his inside, this guy is still looking to defeat winners for the first time. He hasn’t defeated too many runners since breaking the maiden, but feel like he may be a bit better than he looks and may prefer going this long. Could see him rounding-out the lower half of the exotics at a monster price.
#9 Supercomplication (Team 7 Illusions/G. Saez): Sold six weeks ago for the monster sum of $2,377.000, the colt will make his first start for his new conditioner in a G1. Took back-to-back starts back in the later stages of winter, but hasn’t won in six starts since early March. That being siad, this guy has some pep and should be involved from the get-go. Obviously the price tag grabs the attention, but there is definitely some talent here. Has the trainer figured him out in the six weeks he’s had him? If so, he may start earning a return on that investment.
Final Analysis: 7-5-3-9 but could flip the top two and the back two. Good luck to all involved in the G1 HOL Derby at DMR.
Categories: STAKES ARTICLES
