ONT Derby G3
1 1/8 Miles Dirt Woodbine – – $150.000 3 Year Olds
As the racing year winds down the ONT Derby provides one of the last chances for 3-year-olds to battle it out amongst their own age group in an age restricted Derby. The forecast is for a fast track at Woodbine on Saturday for the seventeenth running of this race and the $150.000 purse and graded designation has attracted a field of eight.
1. Adrenaline (Nakamura Stables – O. Moreno) Ultra-competitive gelding that is always right there at the wire but has never hit the wire first in a stakes race. Waded into deep waters in the Preakness in May and was up the track from a tough post. That was a big ask and he has been in good form since winning his last in a high-level allowance by 2. Tactical speed from the rail.
2. Criminal Law (D J C Racing Stables – P. Moran) Has been facing top level competition all season long. Won the G2 Day Mile at Churchill Downs on derby day but has found the going tough since then. Gets a little bit of class relief in this spot which could help him find the winner’s circle again although he has not yet hit the board in any race beyond a mile.
3. Grit And Grind (Mb Stables – EJ Wilson) The barn that has seemingly won everything is looking for a first win in this race. Very familiar foe to the horse directly to his inside. Finished second to that rival in the Day Mile and dead-heated for fifth in the G1 Haskel. The major difference is that this horse has turned in two stellar efforts since that NJ race. He is the only one in the field boasting a three-digit speed figure and was runner up in two graded races at the nine-furlong distance being run here. Positive form trend.
4. Archiduque (Jormav – D. Moran) Finished second in the Super Derby in early September and was then gelded two days later. Stellar mile work following that ultimate equipment change says this is one to seriously consider despite the fact that others may be a bit more battle hardened. He is a May foal in this three-year-old crop and he might be coming into his own. Very interesting.
5. Cherokee Sky (Pan Farms – RW Walcott) Only two races on his resume and tries to tackle a tough group off of a win in a maiden claiming race at Finger Lakes. Put this in the “gotta be in it to win it” column. Big ask.
6. Red Font (John Henry – L. Salles) Graded stakes winner who made it to the gate in all three Triple Crown races this past spring. Was purchased for $250.000 out of a third-place finish in the Preakness. Won the G3 BC Derby in last start beating Grit And Grind to the wire by a nose. Proven against elite competition and obvious contender here.
7. Checkered (Mb Stables – S. Vives) Second entry from this barn. On the surface he seems like the lesser entry, but this colt is seeking his third win in a row and is obviously sharp and in good form. Has speed. He could be used as a rabbit for his more accomplished stablemate but is a legitimate contender in his own right.
8. Gymnast (Noblepark – DZ Gaskin) Beaten by a length by the horse directly inside of him in his last but was gaining and gets a little extra ground to close into this time. Multiple graded stakes winner this season looking for his fourth win of the year. This is the second start following a small rest and he looks dangerous.
North of the border derby has drawn a good field of eight with a mix of veterans from the Triple Crown wars and some newcomers to the three-year-old scene. Most intriguing to me is the recently gelded Archiduque and I am going to take a little bit of a swing and make him my top pick. Grit And Grind will be my chalky second choice with Gymnast taking the bronze.
Categories: Grade III, STAKES ARTICLES