The JC Derby – Grade III

1 1/2 Mile Inner Turf Stake Purse $1,000.000 Open 3 Year Olds.

1st Americas Hope Nakamura Stables Alvarado F T

This was one of those races where the race engine and the AI was busy sorting itself out whilst the front runner was having it all his own way and by the time the rest of the field thought about racing for the win the race was all over. Aided by the wide gate speed push the trainer pushed all the right instruction buttons and to be honest this result never really looked in doubt. This three year old, that was being beaten in a TAM one win allowance just 4 months ago, has taken giant strides up his improvement curve, as the three’s tend to do at this time of year, and put himself right into the BC Turf picture with a highly impressive win.

2nd Miami My Amy John Henry Alvarado J

Got himself into all sorts of trouble out the back constantly finding dead ends as he tried to extricate himself from a position that the jockey AI seemed unable to sort out. By the time he eventually found some fresh air to run in we had the normal stutter that holds up the closers and then he started to race when the winner ad all but crossed the line. This was a big effort to get second but he never looked a chance of catching the winner.

3rd Ziccio Night Rider Stables Kimura K

Another that had a torrid trip he seemed determined to leave his run until too late eventually getting a run when the race was all over. There are two jockeys in this race that would need to face annoyed trainers but Night Rider wont be too unhappy with a $35 purchase whose last race was a $14 claimer finishing third in a grade one in his first start for the trainer.

4th Puissance de La Mer Big Guns Stables Espinoza V

One feels this one is one of those on the cusp of a big win but he seems to lack that killer punch when the going gets tough. His campaign has been split between turf and dirt but i feel he would benefit from an extended campaign on one surface or the other. A good effort and he beat some good ones in getting fourth.

Categories: Grade III, STAKES ARTICLES