$3.1 Million Nashville Derby Attracts Overflow Area

With Kentucky Downs set to provide away $3.1 million, the Aug. 31 Nashville Derby (G3T) drew an overflow subject of 14 3-year-olds whose connections need in on a minimize of that huge prize.

The purse for the 1 5/16-mile turf race consists of $1.2 million from the Kentucky Thoroughbred Improvement, and solely the sphere’s Kentucky-breds are eligible for that added cash. However the remaining $1.9 million was nonetheless ok to attract three European-based colts in Sea The Thunder (GB), Stromberg , and 7-2 morning-line favourite Bellum Justum .

Bellum Justum, skilled by Andrew Balding, received the April 23 Blue Riband Trial Stakes at Epsom Racecourse and completed seventh within the Epsom Derby (G1), crushed 13 1/4 lengths by Metropolis of Troy  on floor rated good to delicate. The Sea the Stars  colt owned by King Energy Racing got here again to kind with a 3rd within the Hampton Courtroom Stakes (G3) at Ascot and a second within the Gordon Stakes (G3) at Goodwood. Each of these latest runs got here on good to quick floor and the gap right here ought to go well with him. Frankie Dettori replaces common rider Oisin Murphy.

“In the event you hit the board, that is a win most locations,” DeVaux mentioned. “It is a good race, as all of the races form up for this little meet. However a lot of this relies on if the horse can deal with the course. I believe the European horses which have run on programs with a configuration like this in all probability have a bit of little bit of a bonus.”

West Level Thoroughbreds has pursuits in two of the first contenders. West Level co-owns Audubon Stakes winner Cugino  with Jimmy Kahig, and Saratoga Derby Invitational Stakes (G1) winner Carson’s Run  with Steven Bouchey. Cugino, who drew the skin No. 12 publish, received the June 1 Audubon Stakes at Churchill Downs by 4 1/4 lengths in his most up-to-date begin. Coach Shug McGaughey added blinkers to the Twirling Sweet   colt’s tools two again.

Carson’s Run, a colt by Cupid  , is available in using a two-race win streak for coach Christophe Clement.

Stalwart turf coach Chad Brown entered Jim Bakke’s and Gerald Isbister’s White Palomino . The son of Kitten’s Pleasure  completed second, crushed only a head, in each the Pennine Ridge Stakes (G2) and Belmont Derby Invitational Stakes (G1). He seems like one of many main tempo gamers and has Jose Ortiz named to experience.

Additionally in with an opportunity is the bettering Cameo Efficiency , winner of the Aug. 3 Kentucky Downs Preview Nashville Derby at Ellis Park. Brendan Walsh trains the Oscar Efficiency   colt for Qatar Racing, Marc Detampel, and Fergus Galvin.