US Racing / Nick Shiambouros / 04 April 2008 /

Nick Shiambouros brings us all the latest racing news from across the Pond, including his fancies in the upcoming trials for that great race, the Kentucky Derby.

It has been suggested that a week is a long time in politics but in horse racing 2 minutes can be an eternity. Big Brown won the Grade 1 Florida Derby in a time of 1.48.16 to be precise but it was the manner in which he destroyed the opposition which not only impressed me but everyone else who saw this jaw dropping performance. This coming from a horse that has made a huge leap from a first-level allowance race to ante post favourite for the Kentucky Derby

On the morning of the race everyone on course who saw trainer Rick Dutrow at Gulfstream Park and not at Nad Al Sheba proceeded to go to the windows and smash in to Big Brown, which meant he was sent off a very short [2.5] at the off. He broke alertly out of the 12 post but managed to clear this good field and put in very fast fractions. Then, surprisingly, he found an extra gear in the lane and pulled away for a convincing victory over Smooth Air who was 5 lengths adrift at the line.

Even Rick Dutrow admitted that he had underestimated Big Brown and said "I totally misjudged him before his last race. I didn't know he was that good." Dutrow had 2 winners at Nad Al Sheba but this performance was the only thing on his mind on Saturday.

I think that he is a deserving favourite for the Derby and I must admit that based on this effort he is a very serious threat to Pyro next month. It is very rare for any horse to make this jump and I think that this year'[s three year olds are shaping up nicely now so this year's Derby is finally taking shape as the anticipation builds every week.

Earlier in the day She's All Eltish also put in a huge effort in the Grade2 Bonnie Miss winning by just over 6 lengths from Robbie's Gal. Based on this very impressive performance she must be considered for the Kentucky Oaks next month. The winner cost just $22k as a yearling but has repaid that price many times over with this effort.

There are some very important races taking place this week across the country and, notably, three very important Derby trials taking place. Over at Aqueduct, on a superb card, former Kentucky Derby favourite War Pass runs in the Grade 1 Wood Memorial which has the look of a legitimate trial. After his defeat in The Tampa Bay Derby he has a lot to prove and War Pass will face legitimate opposition from horses like Court Vision and Tale Of Ekati and I will be looking to lay him at around [2.5] for the win in this hot contest.

Over on the west coast at Santa Anita the Grade1 Santa Anita Derby takes centre stage. This Derby trial features some of the very best west coast three year olds in what should be a great race. I think the winner will come from either Colonel John or El Gato Malo but I just favour the former who should be around [4.0] for the win.

Hawthorne Park in Chicago features the Grade2 Illinois Derby and Dennis Of Cork looks like the one to beat in this recognised Derby trial. Julian Leparoux makes the trip up to Chicago to take the ride. Denis Of Cork has skipped the Wood Memorial for this race and a impressive effort will ensure he takes his place in the Derby next month as we are likely to have a full field and he needs the prize money to make sure he is in.

Recently, British racing introduced new winning distances to the official results. Some of these changes have been copied from America. It is possible to win a race by a nose instead of a short head. There are some other changes that have been imported from America but I won't bore you with the details as they are quite frankly meaningless.

It appears that we import a lot from the USA but we tend to ignore the really important stuff. If you have the money you can enter your horse to run in the English Derby. Providing he is an entire three year old, £10k give or take will ensure your horse is entered in the race and you and your friends can show up on Derby day and see your horse run. It doesn't matter how good he is as long as there is room in the field you are assured a spot. This loophole has been abused in recent years and horses that quite frankly have limited ability run for the pleasure of their owners so they can say they have had a runner in the Derby.

It is about time we had a change in the rules to have only the best horses to compete either by official rating or prize money. Let's import a decent idea from America for a change and stop this nonsense!

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