Week 1138

In Derby de Swedish for all horses, 3 years old, at one mile and a half on the dirt course, some of the Scandinavian 3yo elite has gathered to settle the score in the $75,000 Coker Classic Series race. The small field looks very interresting.

1. Barbanza (End Sweep/Highest Honor) – Jacobsson: Since she was claimed to Jacobsson she has been great; 1 allowance 2^nd, 1 stakes 2^nd and 1 stakes win. She won a easy win last time out in a small field, and she might even like more distance than the 10 furlongs of that race. The dark horse of the race.

2. Bilbo Bagger (Irish River/Lear Fan) – Rogerr: Last time out he ran a great race in Hong Kong, collecting a sp 100. Today’s distance is a couple of furlongs longer, and if he lives up to his pedigree he will be a contender. Over and over though I’ve seen wellbred stayers turn out to have trouble with distance, maybe this is an exception!?

3. Feinting Fleet (Afleet/Sky Classic) – Kartago: In his Coker Classic debut he ran a great 2^nd behind impossible For Glory And Fame. Now he will get back on the dirt again, which might be to his liking. He was an outsider last time out, but today he shouldn’t be overlooked.

4. For Glory And Fame (Trempolino/Common Grounds) – Dannejaka: Can anyone stop this excellent stayer? He has been outstanding the last 2 races, and the only thing that can stop him today seem to be himself. During his short career he has shown alot of class, but mostly on the turf. If he loses it’s because of an injury or the surface.

5. Green Willow (Forty Niner/Green Dancer) – Tiramisu: He is making his come-back after the injury he got in Trial By Night Stakes in the early summer. He isn’t tested at today’s distance, and the pedigree says he might come out short. Still if he has no problem with distance he will probably be a contender.

6. Nijinsky Western (IRE) (Barathea/West By West)– Dannejaka: Won Derby de Finnish, but hasn’t had any great success in the last 2 legs of the Coker Classic Series. Last time out’s performance was actually very poor. Maybe this filly can’t handle the distance. Even though she is a good dirter she’ll probably end up in the 2^nd half of the field.

7. Maximus S (Kris S./Persian Bold) – Kron: Was in the US last time out but didn’t run as good as expected. That race was at D11, and maybe it’s a sign he can’t handle distance, today we’ll find out. Maybe he could repeat the 4^th from Derby de Finnish.

8. Tetetotoora (GB) (Mtoto/Stage Door Johnny) – Racelord: This filly has shocked the bookies twice, first when 2^nd in Derby de Norwegian, then when 3^rd in Derby de Danish. She didn’t look last time out as before, but now she is making her debut on the dirt, so you'll never know.

The early leader: For Glory And Fame will probably try to control this field from the front, but there are some other horses that can ran fast in the beginning. Barbanza gets usually placed in the front, that goes for Bilbo Bagger, Nijinsky Western and Green Willow. The lead could be important for the runners challenging For Glory And Fame.

The closers: Only one horse seem to be of extreme closing type. Feinting Fleet was the only horse who closed on For Glory And Fame last time out, he usually finds himself placed far from the leaders. If the race is overpaced he might make up for the early ground loss.

For Glory And Fame 2/1

Barbanza 5/1

Bilbo Bagger 5/1

Feinting Fleet 9/1