Mark My Word, LIME Derby is Azan's to lose

Orville Clarke, Gleaner Writer

The island's top native-bred three-year-olds will seek their slice of glory at Caymanas Park today, when a maximum field of 16 faces the starter for the 90th running of the LIME-sponsored Jamaica Derby over 2400 metres.

For this, the richest-ever Derby, first-time sponsors LIME has contributed $3 million to the $9 million purse - up from $5 million last year.

The race has attracted the 2000 Guineas winner MARK MY WORD, to again be ridden by Panamanian jockey Dick Cardenas, and the 1000 Guineas heroine AL FOUZIA, with top-line jockey Dane Nelson back in the saddle.

Both horses embark on the second leg of the Triple Crown and victory for either will put them firmly on course to become the ninth Triple Crown winner at Caymanas Park, providing they can win the season's final classic, the Jamaica St Leger, on Saturday, July 10.

In addition to the two Triple Crown hopefuls, the field also includes the Oaks winner GABIWITZO, to be ridden by last year's Derby-winning jockey Paul 'Country' Francis; the Lotto Classic (Governor's Cup) hero, LIFEISJUSFORLIVING, under champion jockey Omar Walker; and the runner-up in that race, the improving PRINCE ROHAN, with Allen Maragh aboard.

Unexpected dish

On paper, the winner should emerge from the above-mentioned group, but every now and then the Derby serves up an unexpected dish - CESARIO (1982) and RESTLESS BABE (1993) at long odds - that horses such as HEARTOFACHAMPION and KRYPTOGRAM, both of whom will get the Derby distance, should be watched.

But MARK MY WORD should win based on his impressive Guineas victory over the then favourite, LIFEISJUSFORLIVING, and also his close third in a blanket finish to the 2009 Superstakes winner, HOMBRE, over 1820 metres in a tough open allowance contest on May 22.

Trained by Richard Azan, who saddled DORVAL to win the 1995 Derby, MARK MY WORD should start a firm favourite on the strength of his last two performances.

Having worked well in preparation for today's encounter, MARK MY WORD will not go down easily. A good mover, he has everything in his favour - pace, class and, above all, stamina. These factors combined should ensure that he takes home this rich prize for owners Elite Bloodstock Limited.

Significantly, trainer Azan saddles as many as three horses for the race. He will also take his chances with KRYPTOGRAM and ROLEX.

When contacted on Tuesday, Azan said he was making no predictions, even though he was quietly optimistic about the chances of stable-star MARK MY WORD.

"He's in high spirits and working well for the Derby. I am preparing my horses to run to the best of their abilities and I'm hoping to be successful," was all he was prepared to say.

MARK MY WORD should win from the talented filly GABIWITZO and bold front runner LIFEISJUSFORLIVING, with PRINCE ROHAN and HEARTOFACHAMPION rounding off the high-five.

Taken to task

Trainer Fitznahum Williams has taken the Oaks winner GABIWITZO to task in preparation for the Derby and she has impressed, galloping a mile in 1:41.3 recently, the last seven furlongs in a brisk 1:27.3.

By Pat N Jac out of the 1993 Harry Jackson Memorial Cup winner, Royal Grind, GABIWITZO will have no stamina limitations, and coming from a stable which produced the 2008 Derby and Triple Crown winner, ALSAFRA, will only go down fighting.

She looks a bigger danger to MARK MY WORD than the Wayne DaCosta-trained LIFEISJUSFORLIVING who, despite his speed and obvious class, might just be found wanting against the top two in the final rush.

Other firm fancies on the 13-race programme are the unbeaten American gelding, CASSANOVA BOY, to catch top sprinter SAINT CECELIA in the $1.5 million LIME Sprint (grade one) over 1300 metres; stable companion COMMANDER ZERO in the 11th; MERIT'S BRITE LITE in the fourth; GOLDEN OPPORTUNITY in the sixth; and the well-forward debutante JET SETTER in the LIME Juvenile Sprint.