The TAM Derby – Grade II [KYD]
1 1/16 Mile Dirt Stake Purse $350.000 Open 3 Year Olds.

1st Blue Guy, trained by Grimley
Starting well Blue Guy settled just in behind the speed and when he was asked the questions
coming into the stretch had little trouble in putting them away. This was a powerful win and
one that puts this colt right in the KYD picture. Whatever changed after his poor run in the El Camino
just a month ago seems to have at last seen him match his brilliant home work though i suspect
it was a combination of draw and track that saw him run so poorly at GG. If you ignore that
run his form reads really well for a crack at the TC although i wouldnt be putting my mortgage
on anything until i see the draw on the big day.

2nd Overspender, trained by Mb Stables
Got a little back early on and ran on very well to be second. This horse once again emphasized the
very small gap between classes as he had just got home in a couple of run of the mill overnights
in his last two starts and yet here he was beating two BC winners fair and square. It remains to be
seen as to whether he will turn out to be the stables main KYD hope as he will have to go again to be
sure of a place and i will need to see another big run to be considering him for the big day. Considering his wide trip throughout this may have been the best perfromance in the race.

3rd Escobas Grandes, trained by Drabfantasy
Had a tough draw with the first turn so close to the start but he had a quick start and by halfway
round turn one had made the fence and a clear lead. That wouldve taken plenty out of him but he
stayed in the race for a long way and kept on gamely for third in only his second lifetime start.
This was a great race but he will have to do even better to make the KYD.

4th No Doubt About It, trained by Mb Stables
Looked more like the stables first string before the off but after a very wide trip for much of the race
he couldnt get in touch with the winner and his stable companion. This race was all about the turns
and he got the worst of it so i would expect a better run next up.

5th Swift Flyer
Ran a fairly nice race to be fifth but his chances are running out now.

6th Xmas Grey
Again ran on late to be sixth but his running style and these size fields will always make it tough for him.

7th Asset Class
Trailed the field for much of the race and made a fair bit fo ground to be seventh beaten just three lengths in the end. The draw was always going to be tough to beat and i would be giving him one more chance.

8th Carneyman
Looked to have got himself in a good position early on but showed no sparkle and it seems like the BC curse has struck again.

9th Capo Di Tutti Capi
Got lost in the pack but made up a little at the end, its difficult to judge a race like this but he may need more time.

10th Hawaiian Pirate
Wasnt great away so had to sprint wide round the first corner to get into a stalk and close to the rail. After halfway though she started to struggle and she faded badly into tenth.

11th Hobnobs
Never in it and was outclassed.

12th Asp
showed early speed but was never in it after halfway.

SUMMARY

First of all i would like to apologise for saying that we had the male and female juvenile champs in this race in my pre race write up. What i meant to say was BC champs because of course Carneyman didnt get the vote as juvenile of the year last year.
As for the race, well it was a train wreck. The draw and trip was so influential that the race looked more like a lottery pick and mix than a race with plenty of excuses right through the field. You cannot take anything away from the winner though, on works he was the best in the race and today he proved that on the track. As for the rest well i have no doubt that the form will be flip flopped more than once before the KYD so i wouldnt be writing off anything just yet.

Categories: Grade II, STAKES ARTICLES