Ballysax Stakes - International Derby Prep

[Spalding No!]

Another international Derby prep tomorrow in Ireland on the new all-weather course at Dundalk.

Due to COVID delays, they have reconfigured the Ballysax--traditionally a Epsom/Irish Derby prep--into a Kentucky Derby prep and moved it from Leopardstown to Dundalk.

The key horses in a small field are a pair of AP O'Brien horses.

Monarch of Egypt was one of the first winners for sire American Pharoah last year. He proved to be a whipping boy for the top 2yos the rest of the season, but comes off a confidence booster when 2nd in a Group 3 at Ascot. Stretching out from 7f to 10.5f. Owned by Peter Brant, so he may wind up in the states regardless.

Nobel Prize is not only a son of uber-sire Galileo, but he is also a full brother to BC Turf winner Highland Reel and useful runners Idaho and Cape of Good Hope. All 3 made stateside appearances (on turf) during their careers. This colt is dropping back from a 14 furlong Group race where he raced erratically. The winner was stablemate Santiago, who took the Irish Derby just 8 days later.

[Spalding No!]

Coolmore's Nobel Prize got the job done winning by a nose after setting the pace for the 10.5 furlong race.

Perhaps the speed he showed will be a positive if he ends up heading to Churchill for the Kentucky Derby. The American Pharoah colt, Monarch of Egypt was held up behind horses but had no run and probably didn't handle the distance.

A full brother to Highland Reel, Nobel Prize by Galileo. The mare descends from an AUS/NZ line, but she is by the Danzig stallion Danehill, so there is a bit of dirt there.

I still maintain Galileo handled the dirt fine and ran a solid race in the 2001 BC Classic. He perhaps was too close to a strong pace (:47 flat 1/2 mile) while right at the hip of eventual winner Tiznow down the back stretch. He certainly appeared to settle nicely with a good stride while not bothered by the kickback. Stayed on while making no impression when the real running started he still did enough to outrun the accomplished and in-form Aptitude, Gander, and Include, all of whom made bids around the far turn.

[Robert Fischer]

Originally Posted by Spalding No!

Coolmore's Nobel Prize got the job done winning by a nose after setting the pace for the 10.5 furlong race.

Do you know of any video of the race?


I only see a 45 second clip on youtube

YouTube

from the clip Nobel Prize had a sizeable lead, and then did a bit of herding, while just hanging on to win a photo.

Impossible to tell how fast a pace he set from the clip.