THE?DERBY is to horse racing what the Olympics is to the thousands of athletes around the world who strive for recognition, greatness and world supremacy and to establish new records.
Today around 4:45 p.m., 12 of this island’s best creoles will line up before the starter at the Garrison Savannah to contest the 73rd running of the Grade 1 United Insurance Barbados Derby over 2 000 metres.
Three-horse race
To the purist, it appears a three-horse fight involving Barbados Guineas (1 570) metres winner Aston Martin, Midsummer Creole Classic (1 800) metres winner Summer Time and the well bred Open Secret. Some consideration should also be given to Galaxy despite a brief leave of absence.
If one is to be guided by the rating points accumulated in the lead up to this prestigious event, then the country’s highest rated three-year-old Rickoshey is the one they will all have to beat.
A look into his past runs, however, leaves one to ask few questions. Having only won a maiden 1 000 metres event eight months ago, can he get the job done? Will he stay the distance, and is he as good as his ratings suggest?
His connections of owner Lord Michael Taylor and trainer Anderson Ward have only tasted victory once in this event back in 2004 with Captain PJ, ironically with Ward as his jockey. Despite his high rating it is like asking Asafa Powell to beat Usain Bolt.
Aston Martin has done almost everything asked of him so far; winning four of his eight starts. However, little excuse can be found for his failure in the Midsummer Creole Classic.
He now faces the task of becoming the 16th horse in history since Watercress (1950) to win the Guineas and the Derby, the last being Fresh Milk back in 2008. One can expect the people’s juvenile champion to go down fighting.
Strength to strength
Summer Time has since her local debut gone from strength to strength, and the Derby appears well within her grasp.
Open Secret made great strides in the Midsummer where she finished fourth. She has peaked at the right time and is ready to run the race of her life.
Galaxy is yet to run a bad race, but his preparation must have suffered a bit when he missed the Midsummer, bringing into question his fitness going into this event. He will stay on and could still factor.
Iamsogroovy put in a poor effort in her last run. However, if she can reproduce her form from the Guineas, she could play spoiler among the more fancied.
The others in order of draw Bandera Belle, Roars, Mrs B, Divine Destiny, Run For Your Money and Chatter Box will all play their part at some stage but all appear as traffic waiting to back-up on the Savannah.
My Picks
Race 1: Nekitta
Race 2: Dunwiddat
Race 3: Bond Street
Race 4: Shared Adventure
Race 5: Zaltarr
Race 6: Graeme Hill
Race 7: Tiny Tot
Race 8: Open Secret
Race 9: Tornade
