Derby Draw Drama and Thursday Pointers
Hi all,
Yesterday, in true racing geek style, I was tracking the final declarations for both the Oaks and Derby on the BHA website.
All nine Oaks entries stood their ground — no surprise given the lack of depth among this year’s middle-distance fillies. Newmarket 1,000 Guineas heroine Desert Flower the form pick stood her ground, but rain softened ground will test her stamina. Ryan Moore has seemingly opted for Cheshire Oaks winner Minnie Hauk ahead of Whirl and Giselle. I don’t think his decision will have been an easy one.
Remarkably, 19 of the 20 Derby entries were declared, making it the biggest field since 2003. The only absentee was Aidan O’Brien’s Puppet Master, leaving him with three: Delacroix, The Lion in Winter, and Lambourn. Ryan Moore is on Delacroix — and how often does he get it wrong these days?
With such a large field, luck in running will play a big role. I wouldn’t be shocked if something at a price sprang a surprise.
If you haven’t seen it. Here’s the Derby draw.
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