12/2/23
11 DMR HOL Derby (GI)
$300.000 3yo 1 1/8m Turf Weight 122lbs
Mid-December and the Derbys keep coming… even if the track closed a decade ago. It’s the HOL Derby (GI), a mile and an eighth turf stakes for the sophomores, and we get a nice group for this one… good enough that the KYD (GI) winner is with us, and he will be my top choice. Quiet Return just missed a nose in the BC Classic (GI) so we all know that he’s remained sharp throughout the summer/fall, despite not winning since the first Saturday in May. Can he flip that today? I think so. Let’s go right next door and put Drinkin Creepin in this one, although his success has come from sprinting, including the BC Turf Sprint (GI), Mb has run him at a mile or longer. His only off-the-board race this year was at a mile and a quarter, so there are some questions. I think On Fire could be in the middle of this one, as well… he was fourth in the BC Turf (GI) going a mile and a half, and he’s always closing in the late stages of races, so he is the yang to Drinkin Creepin’s ying… I omitted Jacks Courage, and could come to regret that move.
Here’s the Field –
COZMAN 8 / 7 / 4 Willie’s Green Card 7 / 8 / 1
https://simracingform.com/2023/11/29/can-quiet-return-win-another-derby/amp/
Categories: Grade I, STAKES ARTICLES