City of Troy looks to atone for a dismal showing in the Two Thousand Guineas (G1) when he headlines a field of 16 in the $1.1 million Betfred Derby (G1) on Saturday at Epsom Downs Racecourse.
Trained by Aidan O’Brien, City of Troy excelled as a 2-year-old but finished ninth of 11 as the 2-3 favorite in the Guineas on May 4 at Newmarket. He’s the 3-1 favorite in 1 ½-mile Derby, the richest flat race in Britain, coming into his second start as a 3-year-old.
O’Brien, seeking a 10th victory in the Betfred (Epsom) Derby, also sends out Los Angeles (9-2) and Euphoric (33-1).
“Obviously, things didn’t go to plan at Newmarket with City of Troy,” O’Brien told bloodhrse.com. “The gates opened, and he was in full flow straight away. He was caught right in the middle of the pace and wasn’t getting out of there, while it was also his first run of the year.”
Since then, O’Brien said, “Everything has gone well since Newmarket, and we’ve been very happy with him.”
Los Angeles comes into the race unbeaten in three starts.
Among the top contenders are Ambiente Friendly (7-1), winner of the Lingfield Derby Trial Stakes, and Ancient Wisdom (13-2).
“The colt seems in good form,’’ Ambient Friendly trainer James Fanshawe said. “Hopefully, there will be no more rain. The Derby is the most important race we’ve ever had a runner in. It’s a privilege to be involved.”
Ancient Wisdom, trained by Charlie Appleby for Godolphin, comes into the race off a loss to Economics in the Dante Stakes at York on May 16. The longer distance could be helpful, too.
“He has definitely come forward since the Dante and we know that stepping up to a mile and a half is going to suit, while we are hoping that ground conditions will be on our side as well,’’ Appleby said.
Weather is always a factor, and the forecast for good to soft ground overnight but drying prior to the race.
The picks: 1 Los Angeles 2 Ancient Wisdom 3 Dallas Star
The field for the $1.1 million Betfred (Epsom) Derby (G1), from the rail out, with jockey, trainer, odds:
1 Ambiente Friendly (Robert Havlin, James Fanshawe), 13-2
2 Ancient Wisdom (William Buick, Charlie Appleby), 7-1
3 Bellum Justum (Oisin Murphy, Andrew Balding), 22-1
4 City of Troy (Ryan Moore, Aidan O’Brien), 3-1
5 Dallas Star (David Egan, Adrian Murray), 33-1
6 Dancing Gemini (Dylan Browne McMonagle, Roger Teal), 14-1
7 Deira Mile (Jim Crowley, Owen Burrows), 22-1
8 Euphoric (Declan McDonogh, Aidan O’Brien), 33-1
9 God’s Window (Kernan Showmark, John & Thady Gosden), 66-1
10 Kamboo (Richard Kingscote, Richard Hughes) 80-1
11 Los Angeles (Wayne Lordan, Aidan O’Brien), 9-2
12 MacDuff (Rossa Ryan, Ralph Beckett), 14-1
13 Mr Hampstead (Sean Levey, Dominic Davis), 66-1
14 Sayedaty Sadaty (Tom Marquand, Andrew Balding), 66-1
15 Tabletalk (James Doyle, Tom Clover), 100-1
16 Voyage (Pat Dobbs, Richard Hannon), 20-1