Formidable Man Faces Massive Area in Hollywood Derby

Formidable Man  brings an unbeaten Del Mar document into the Nov. 30 Hollywood Derby (G1T). But regardless of that perfection, 12 others are making ready to line up towards him. A number of have taken him on prior to now, and the sphere contains a few New York invaders who might pose challenges.

The most important query is whether or not Formidable Man can proceed his Del Mar streak for coach Michael McCarthy, who additionally skilled the colt’s sire, 2018 Breeders’ Cup Filth Mile (G1) winner Metropolis of Gentle  . Formidable Man is 3-for-3 at Del Mar, however 1-for-4 at Santa Anita and 0-for-2 at Churchill Downs.

Two of these three Del Mar victories got here final summer time. Formidable Man posted back-to-back stakes wins, within the July 20 Oceanside Stakes at a mile and the Sept. 1 Del Mar Derby (G2T) at 1 1/8 miles below Umberto Rispoli, who returns on him from submit 6. The colt hasn’t competed for the reason that Del Mar Derby, by which he scored by a half-length over Keep Scorching  and Atitlan , each returning for the Hollywood Derby over the identical course and distance. Formidable Man additionally ran second within the Could 4 American Turf Stakes (G2T) Stakes at Churchill.

Donegal Momentum  is coming off back-to-back wins as nicely, in his case in New York. Skilled by Thomas Morley, the son of Uncle Mo   broke his maiden first out by 8 1/4 lengths at Aqueduct in Could. After a second and a fourth, he nosed out Inexperienced Gentle in a 1 1/16-mile allowance/non-compulsory claimer at Saratoga Aug. 24 earlier than taking the Oct. 3 Gio Ponti Stakes at a mile at Aqueduct. Javier Castellano, who has piloted Donegal Momentum in all of his begins besides the Gio Ponti, will journey from submit 7.

Coach Christophe Clement skilled Gio Ponti within the east however efficiently shipped him to California to win such races because the 2009 Frank E. Kilroe Mile (G1T). Gio Ponti completed seventh within the 2008 Hollywood Derby when it was nonetheless run at Hollywood Park. Clement will attempt to win this version of the race with Carson’s Run , a son of Cupid  .

Carson’s Run has three wins and one second in his final 4 begins. He gained the 1 1/16-mile Story of the Cat Stakes at Monmouth Park and 1 3/16-mile Saratoga Derby (G1T). Second within the $3.1 million Nashville Derby (G3T) at 1 5/16 miles at Kentucky Downs, Carson’s Run is coming off a victory within the 1 3/8-mile Jockey Membership Derby (G3T) at Aqueduct. Dylan Davis, who piloted him in that race, is available in to journey from submit 4.

Chatalas  (submit 3) is one in all two fillies entered within the Hollywood Derby, with Kazushi Kimura aboard for the primary time for coach Mark Glatt. Nonetheless, she can also be nominated to the Dec. 1 Matriarch Stakes (G1T). The daughter of Gun Runner   has achieved most of her working in California—she broke her maiden at Del Mar in her debut final yr—however her final three begins have come east of the Mississippi.

At Horseshoe Indianapolis when skilled by Grant Forster, Chatalas gained the July 6 Indiana Oaks (G3). Sixth within the Alabama Stakes (G1) for Glatt after shying early and being bumped, she completed third within the Sept. 21 Seneca In a single day Stakes at Churchill, within the latter once more skilled by Forster.

Lots of the locals have taken turns beating one another. Atitlan gained the Twilight Derby (G2) over Keep Scorching. Cathal  ran third within the Twilight Derby in his United States stakes debut. King of Gosford  gained two stakes at Santa Anita and is coming off a win within the Oct. 31 Let It Journey Stakes at Del Mar, by which Coronary heart Headed  and British Isles  completed second and third.