3 minute read

Unfortunately the fans will not be able to be there this year but the weather looks very pleasant and the field for the Derby impressive.

The favourite is Efforia, a son of Epiphanea who has won all his four starts to date, including the Satsuki Sho which is the first leg in the triple crown.  Jockey Yokoyama has been on him for all his races and should be able to take advantage of gate 1. They are on 1.6.

Satono Rainas is the only female in the field and gets 1 kg less to carry.  Her jockey Christope Lemaire has been on this Deep Impact daughter from the start and her trainer Kuneida-sensei trained Almond Eye.  They are on 5.5.

Wonderful Town is by Rulership and is on 10.7 after winning the Aoba Sho, and Sharyar, another Deep Impact, won recently in Hanshin in record time and is on 14.5.  Not much between him and another Deep Impact in Great Magician on 14.5.

However we are going to put some of the family fortunes on Titleholder on 23.6.  He was second to Efforia in the Satsuki Sho and it was a good performance from the son of Duramente, and we like the odds of 23.6.

The Meguro Kinen is the following race and is G2 over 2500m for the 4y+ horses.  This is quite open with current favourite Grandiose on 4.7 with Christophe Lemaire on board.  Heart on Beat is on 5.8 and Diamont Minoru on 8.8.  We quite like Win Kitos here, a 4yo filly who not only gets a weight advantage but is by Gold Ship, the sire of last week's Himba winner.