DMR Derby – Grade II
1 1/8 Mile Turf Stake Purse $250.000 Open 3 Year Olds.

1st       Sensei          Saratoga Stud         Bravo J

Well after a largely disappointing career on dirt and a big price tag Saratoga Stud has finally found what makes this horse tick and it seems to be a combination of jockey and grass. He had promised so much early in the season but after this game win we can at last say he is realizing that promise. Off the pace he picked them up and put them down in the stretch for a half length win following up his La Jolla Handicap win and now looking a possible late chance for the BC. Bred by Barcelona Farms who is well known for breeding very good turf runners his trainer will now be looking for a race to get him into the big dance in November.

2nd       Jakarta        Fractious           Beschizza A

Ran on pace and kept on well but was always susceptible to a closer and in the end got run down. It is remarkable to think he has yet to win this year with four stakes placings to his name and he too may be aimed at one last chance at getting into the BC.

3rd         King Of Swords     Mb Stables         Hernandez C J

He was seven lengths behind Jakarta in the SAR Derby but was within a whisker of beating him today coming home strongly. This was a much better effort from a horse that is clearly improving now the trainer seems to have found the key to opening up his ability. Unlikely to make it to the BC he may be a sleeper in one of those turf stakes around the same time.

4th          Ptyrannical        Arindel           Garcia Mar

Looked dangerous for a while but just didn’t go with them down the stretch and i winder whether he need a bit of moisture at this level to give him that needed length. he was only beaten a length in a tight finish so lost nothing in defeat.

Categories: Grade II, STAKES ARTICLES