The 105th Jamaica Derby promises a colossal showdown as three-year-olds Burning Hedge (fresh off a 1000 Guineas triumph), I Dream Again (St Leger champion) and Sensational Soul (2000 Guineas victor) collide in a winner-takes-all battle for the coveted prize of the blue riband.
The Jamaica Derby will be contested on Wednesday, August 6, at 12 furlongs or a mile and a half.
1 - BURNING HEDGE: (3 ch f by Hedge Fund – Burning Clearance) – This filly has proven her mettle over staying trips, running a solid third in the Jamaica St Leger just two lengths shy of the leading duo. Although she couldn’t match, I Dream Again or Hansa (now retired) on that occasion, she displayed relentless spirit and a powerful late kick. Carrying that form forward, Burning Hedge looks set to challenge hard over the Derby distance, and she should be right in contention for the top prize.
2 - UNCLE HARRY: (3 b c by Bern Identity out of Long Running Train) –Uncle Harry lacks the elite ability needed to trouble these. His past efforts have shown stamina but not the acceleration or class required here. This colt is best viewed as a filler in the field rather than a genuine threat.
3 - SECRET SENSATION: (3 ch c by Sensational Slam out of Secret Cat) – Eleven outings and still no victory tells a clear story about Secret Sensation’s ceiling. Without any flashes of notable improvement, it’s hard to imagine him suddenly flipping the script against higher-grade rivals. He’s one to overlook in the Derby lineup.
4 - NUCLEAR JET: (3 ch c by Bern Identity out of Nuclear Force) – Capable of speed—his 14 ¾-length romp over seven furlongs turned heads—Nuclear Jet arrives here with plenty of buzz. The big question is whether he can translate that past form into a sustained performance over the longer Derby trip. If he handles the extra ground, he could pop up at a price.
5 - PRINCE ROY: (3 b c by Here Comes Ben out Princess Shine) – A disappointing ninth in the St Leger, beaten by more than 16 lengths, suggests Prince Roy is outclassed at this level. His recent form shows little sign of upward trajectory, making him a doubtful factor unless something clicks dramatically on Derby Day.
6 - STRONG MIND: (3 b c by Casual Trick out of Charming Beauty) – Flashes of promise have punctuated Strong Mind’s outings, but consistency has eluded him so far. Without a reliable pattern of improvement, he’s unlikely to sustain a challenge from start to finish. Count him out unless he uncovers a new gear.
7 - BENEISON: (3 b c by Sensational Slam out of Benediction) – After finishing a distant 12th in the St Leger, Beneison did bounce back to run second to Bob The Builder. Yet that form still falls short of the standard expected in this Classic. Lacking the turn of foot, he’s not expected to trouble the leading handful.
8 - MARK MY IDENTITY: (3 ch c by Bern Identity out of Sweet Like Sugar) – Built for stamina, Mark My Identity has the pedigree to stay the trip but not the proven ability to match the rest of this field. His realistic ambition is a minor placing at best, as he’ll need everything to go right and a perfectly judged ride to feature.
9 - BOB THE BUILDER: (3 b c by Hedge Fund out of Sound of Miracle) – Bob The Builder edged Beneison by a neck in their latest meeting, but that small-margin victory doesn’t translate easily into a win in this stronger lineup. He remains a capable performer but lacks the standout credentials to lead this field home. His effort in the Derby will more than likely come on the headlines or close. Not expected to last 12 furlongs
10 - PRETTY PERFECT: (3 b f by Sensational Slam out of Black Bombshell) – A solid third in the Jamaica Oaks just four days ago signals decent form, yet she might find the Derby’s pace and bigger names too hot to handle.
11 - I DREAM AGAIN: (3 b c by Soul Warrior out of Lady Najariya) – A smooth 1¾-length victory in the St Leger showcased I Dream Again’s smart tactics and staying power over 10 furlongs. He tracked the pace perfectly before unleashing a decisive run, suggesting the longer Derby trip will suit him. I Dream Again is a late foal, who finding himself at the right time. He’s one of the leading fancies to dominate the race.
12 - COP CAR: (3 b c by Aveenu Malcainu out of Supreme Magic) – Cop Car lacks the depth of form required for this grade. His previous efforts don’t hint at the class needed to compete, so he’s better off targeting lesser events.
13 - BIG BUZZ: (3 b c by Buzz Nightmare out of Lady Tarkari) –Big Buzz enters as a filler in this field. The step up to Derby company seems beyond his reach.
14 - ALCHEMY OF SOULS: (3 gr c by Spieth out of Emerald Belle) – Outclassed on prior outings, Alchemy of Souls doesn’t possess the speed or substance to mix it with this elite three-year-old group. Expect him to fade in the closing stages.
15 - SENSATIONAL SOUL: (3 ch c by Soul Warrior out of Red Gold) – Although he could only manage fourth in the St Leger, Sensational Soul has bounced back in training and is primed for a big effort. His breeding suggests he’ll relish the Derby trip, and with a career-best performance, he could turn the tables on his rivals and grab the big payday.
One Response
this is a decent crop of 3-year olds, evenly balanced in terms of ability. the derby always carries the speculation of a upsetter in the making,all in all it should be exciting to see a blanket finish with the major lights or a rank outsider winning the major slice ot the derby pie