DMR Derby – Grade II
DMR Race #11 1 1/8m Turf Graded Stake
Purse $300.000 For Three Year Olds.

1 Lantern Yard Avenue Z Vazquez R A

This field has come up short and a bit weak so it gives an opportunity to some of the lesser lights of this generation to shine through. Having said that the top three trainers in this race look to have it sown up but you can’t discount the rest who have shown enough to be a danger. This one off the inside gate is interesting as he didn’t win a race until his eighth start and even then it was a GG Sprint maiden. In fact he backed that up with his only other win on the same track over five furlongs. What looked to be an overnighter building a sprinting career then took a turn as he ran a closing fourth over the mile and most recently closed late to finish third in the La Jolla Handicap. His works are suggesting he is on the upward slope of his improvement curve so he could just be the surprise package.

2 Pinnacle Beauty High Voltage Rispoli U

A consistent sort in good overnight company he took a good win in a big ticket allowance at CD in July but it should be noted he only carried 115Lbs that day and today will lump 7Lbs more which will make things a but tougher. Not the sort of stakes form i would like to see but he loves this trip, gets a great draw and always tries.

3 Crazy Ivan Mb Stables Gutierrez Mario

Took the Battaglia Memorial early in the year and went for the TC races but didn’t make the grade on dirt and has now been switched to turf. He looked good in taking the La Jolla Handicap last time beating Lantern Yard so i would expect him to confirm that. He is working similar times to five year old BC winners as most do at this level these days so looks a great prospect and along with the other two from the three top trainers looks nailed on for a top three finish.

4 Speightstown Nakamura Stables Elliott S

Ahhh the old first time on turf hack could well see this one winning today as the consistent dirt runner gets his first try on the grass. He has run some good races on the dirt including a win in the Affirmed so comes right into this as a big chance.

5 Angel Code Smokey Stover Jaramillo E

The final runner from the big three in this race he looked pretty good in the Snow Chief before failing on an off track last time but still managed third in the Kent Stakes. For me he is top three but i am not sure he wins as he has the worst draw and may just lack the turn of foot of some of the others. Could prevail though with a solid pace.

6 Gimmi Gold High Voltage Saez G

Another decent sort working good times, he loves this trip and has run against decent types in good overnights suggesting he can cope with this rise in class. His work times are as good as any of the big three so has a decent chance in an even looking field.

SUMMARY

This race sort of sums up the season for me. Six horses all working similar times but whilst the top three trainers n the race have been winning and placing in graded stakes the other three have been competing well in overnights. The usual story is that the top three trainers fill the top three spaces but it wouldn’t surprise me to see one of the others spoil the party.

Categories: Grade II, STAKES ARTICLES