The JC Derby – Grade III
1 3/8 Mile Inner Turf Stake Purse $500.000 Open 3-Year-Olds.

1st River Run Nakamura Stables Martinez C

On the 25th of April, this three-year-old won a $9.000 one-win allowance at lowly BTP over five furlongs, under six months later he is now the winner of a $500.000 grade three over a mile and three-eighths, it just goes to show that at HRP you just don’t know what you have got until you do. He had run well in a couple of ungraded stakes races, so he is an improver, and his works, for what work times are worth these days, were good enough, so this wasn’t a complete shock result but one that wasn’t the most obvious. Sitting behind the leading pair once he got into gear he ran home really well and won by a comfortable length, and it will be interesting to see how he progresses from here.

2nd Extreme Super Hero Mb Stables Davis D

He made it all to win the DMR Derby last time, but this time was content to stalk the lead and just didn’t quicken up after he put the leader away. This was a decent run, but the winner swept by him pretty easily in the end and it leaves a question mark around him. He has been admirably consistent, and he had been brilliantly handled leading into his DMR Derby win, but today his turn of foot at the end was a little exposed. Still only 15.2hh I wonder whether a year of growth and strengthening will see him better as a four-year-old.

3rd Proud Devil Team 7 Illusions Pennington F

The odds monkeys had him as the odds-on favorite which was surprising considering his last run was at the free track, but it was clear he was better than that. The funny thing is over the same trip in a $50.000 claimer at the free track last time he made all just as he did today and won in a time that was almost a second quicker than the winner ran today. The difference? Well, he had to go a second quicker through the first half mile today and when they run their best race too early off the front they very often weaken and that’s what happened today. He is clearly a quirky sort, but the trainer seems to have a handle on him now and if they can settle him down through the early part of the race, I think he could turn out to be a good sort.

4th Tap Mb Stables Alvarado J

Stayed on into fourth but never really looked like getting involved for the win. He is still learning though and whilst the trainer will be a little disappointed in the fourth place I think he has a future at this level on either surface.

Categories: Grade III, STAKES ARTICLES