Two of the biggest races for three-year-old Thoroughbreds take place Saturday, June 7, one in the morning at 10:30 am EDT, and one close to 7 p.m.
The Betfred Epsom Derby (G1) from Epsom Downs in England is considered one of the greatest races of them all. It is 1 1/2 miles on an undulating course and this year’s edition is the 265th running. (See the field in this recent Canadian Thoroughbred post)
The favourite, DELACROIX, out of the great American mare Tepin, is certainly legitimate based on his powerful wins at 10 furlongs. The English 2000 Guineas winner can handle any condition of turf, but can he handle the added distance?
RULING COURT, trained by Charlie Appleby, is wanting good-to-firm ground, but the rains are coming.
PRIDE OF ARRAS is two-for-two in his career, but lacking experience.
This corner is picking Wathnan Racing’s DAMYSUS, a son of Frankel, who was wanting more ground when second to Pride of Arras in the Dante Stakes in their latest meeting. James Doyle is back on board this flashy chestnut colt trained by John and Thady Gosden.
At the BELMONT-AT-SARATOGA mini meet, the 157th BELMONT STAKES will be run at the shorter 1 1/4 mile distance for the second time at Saratoga while Belmont continues to be renovated.
The 1-2-3 finishers of the Kentucky Derby are here with two of those, Sovereignty, being the hero at Churchill Downs, and Baeza, who was third in the Derby, coming off a short freshening. Journalism, second in the Derby and an impossible winner of the Preakness stakes, is back for another run.
There are five other rivals including Wood Memorial winner Rodriguez, who has had foot issues since that win.
The early pace is bound to be on the modest side with only two possible pace runners in the field, Rodriguez and Crudo. Journalism will be forwardly placed and Sovereignty will be coming from further back.
CT’s Picks:
7 – Journalism
2 – Sovereignty
1 – Hill Road
More News
