The TAM Derby – Grade II [KYD]

TAM   Race #11   1 1/16m   Dirt   Graded Stake
Purse $350.00  For Three Year Olds.

1 Carneyman, trained by Broken Spoke Stables
One of the things that makes this race very interesting is that we have the juvenile champions of both sexes squaring off against each other. Carneyman was the male champion taking the BC Juvenile by three quarters of a length at odds of nearly twenty to one. That wasnt the only highlight in his juvenile career he also finished a close second in the Brett Futurity and added a couple of very good placings at grade three. He failed in the Remsen on his last appearence as a two year old so was put out to the paddock for a rest before coming back in the Risen Star last month. Although only ending up ninth he got stuck in traffic that day and ran on well to be beaten only two lengths. He should strip a lot fitter for that effort and i expect a big show from him today especially if he can get closer early on in the race.

2 Swift Flyer, trained by M.b.o Stables
A length behind Carneyman in The Risen Star he ran a very different race being thrown up onto the speed from his outside gate. He just whacked away in the end to finish tenth and that was a little dissapointing after his encouraging seasonal debut when second in the Jerome. The winner of the KY Jockey Club at grade two last year he clearly has ability and with a much better draw today there is no reason he cannot get into the business end of the race.

3 No Doubt About It, trained by Mb Stables
A winner of four from six he broke his maiden in a statebred black type race before a brave win in the Grey Stakes. He finished the year off with a fourth in the LA Futurity where he showed plenty of early pace but weakened down the stretch. His seasonal debut came in a one win allowance where he cantered home by two lengths showing that he is fit and ready for an all out attempt at todays prize. His works are right up there and he has plenty of plus’s next to his name so i expect him to be in it all the way although i think he may be a smidgeon off the best of them.

4 Overspender, trained by Mb Stables
Although he has only raced three times winning two by short margins his works times say he has a major chance in this tight looking contest. Inexperience will be his greatest enemy but if this was a test of work times he would be right in it.

5 Blue Guy, trained by Grimley
This ones reputation is much better than what he has produced on the track so far having fetched over two hundred and fifty dollars in two sales in his short career. One of the fastest mile works of his generation says that he should be all over this race but with only one win from five you have to wonder whether he leaves his best work at home. Rested and sold after his maiden win he reappeared in The Lecompt where he ran a cracker to be third and looked like he was about to explode on the KYD scene. His last start in the El Camino however was a huge dissapointment finishing a weak ninth. One feels this may be his last chance to get into the three year old classics and i hope for his trainers sake that he runs up to his morning form.

6 Capo Di Tutti Capi, trained by Team 7 Illusions
Fair as a two year old he was never tested beyond statebred black type but acquitted himself well enough to be considered worth $300 by his current owner at the beginning of the year. He made that price seem a little over the top when running fourth in the Davis Stakes but he ran well for a long way in that and may be ready to step it up today. I suspect a little more restrant will help his chances and his works are pretty good so if he takes your fancy i am sure he will give you a run for your money.

7 Hobnobs, trained by Aer Stables
Looked really good on debut when winning an AQU maiden but has been sparsley raced since and may be a little outclassed today.

8 Escobas Grandes, trained by Drabfantasy
There arent many horses that break their maiden in a black type race and even fewer that do it on debut but this little terrier did both and comes here with high hopes of remaining unbeaten. Experience will be against him but his works are encouraging and if he manages to win this on seasonal debut i would imagine he will be one of the favourites for the KYD.

9 Asp, trained by BigKing
Won two competitive overnights at the end of his two year old career but looked a little one paced on debut when third in an FG two win allownace. I am not sure he is up to this grade but comes here with a punchers chance.

10 Xmas Grey, trained by Blushing Meadows
A winner of a twenty buck maiden claimer last June he has been highly tested since and has acquitted himself pretty well. A poor run in the Grade one Champagne Stakes may have been down to the rain soaked ground but his seasonal debut in the Davis Stakes was pretty good in running second and it wouldnt be a surprise to see him run well here. A wide draw will be tough for him and he has always been taken back in his races so traffic may be his biggest hinderence rather than any lack of aility.

11 Asset Class, trained by Sccj Stables
Won a couple of races at two but didnt look a TC contender until his nice seasonal debut in The Withers where he syated on to take sixth place. Again he has hopes here but the draw will be tough to overcome and his race may be won or lost at the start.

12 Hawaiian Pirate, trained by Australia Wide
On the opposite side of the draw to the Male juvenile champion is the female BC juvenile champ and whilst the significant weight advantage she is allowed makes her look almost unbeatable the draw will be something that will be very hard to overcome. Her seasonal reapearence in the Las Virgenes Stakes was very impressive as she strode home by a length and there is a lot to like about her four wins from five starts including two grade ones. She has overcome wide draws before and with works that arent so far behind her male rivals she will be a very popular choice for the win today.

SUMMARY

If Hawaiian Pirate was drawn in the first four boxes she would be the obvious choice but there are plenty of good horses in this race that will enjoy a much easier transit so you cant be overconfident about her chances. There are a couple of morning glories in the race that could step up in this race and bring some of that track work to the racecourse and there are some untested sorts that may also improve enough to take the win. Of the tried and tested variety Carneyman and No Doubt About It will test the filly but if you are looking for potential then Escobas Grandes, Overspender and Xmas Grey might be your choice. On the strength of works you would have to include Blue Guy as well so all in all we are left with a fascinating contest that will no doubt throw up a live KYD contender.

Categories: Grade II, STAKES ARTICLES