Epsom Derby Runners, Odds, and Tips, plus the Pros and Cons of Race Favorite Desert Crown
Desert Crown will defend his unbeaten record in the Cazoo Derby at Epsom.
The colt will attempt to give trainer Sir Michael Stoute a sixth victory in the flagship event as part of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations.
On his second start, the son of Nathaniel blew past what appeared to be a competitive Dante Stakes field at York. After only a few career starts, the Saeed Suhail-owned colt has clearly demonstrated his ability on both soft and firm ground.
Stoute’s charge appears to have all the aces going into the Epsom Classic, so let’s see what happens.
Desert Crown has only seen a racetrack twice, but he has impressed on both occasions. Despite signs of inexperience, he won his Nottingham debut by a commanding five and a half lengths in November, and while only one winner has come from that race, he was clearly in a different league.
Sir Michael Stoute isn’t known for throwing his young horses into the deep end so early in their careers. The Group 2 Dante Stakes was his next destination, which speaks volumes about his regard for this colt.
Desert Crown did not disappoint, finishing as the most impressive scorer since Golden Horn in 2015 and giving his trainer a record-tying seventh win in the Derby’s most prestigious trial.
