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US mission for Spanish
03 September 2019
SPANISH Mission has arrived safe and well in America ahead of his shot at the $1million Jockey Club Derby at Belmont Park this Saturday, September 7.
The son of Noble Mission is the sole English representative in the mile and a half contest, the winner of which will be granted an automatic berth to the Breeders’ Cup Turf in November.
While it’s hard to weigh up his American rivals’ form, Spanish Mission’s credentials entitle him to be right up there among the market leaders for the valuable contest.
Owned by the Honorable Earle Mack and Team Valor LLC, he was an emphatic four-length winner of the Group 3 Bahrain Trophy at Newmarket’s July Course before finishing third, beaten just half a length while carrying 3lb more than the winner in the Gordon Stakes at Glorious Goodwood.
Trainer David Simcock said: “The Jockey Club Derby is a new race and it’s a good initiative. They are trying very hard with their turf racing over there.
“With regard to our horse, he has improved as the year has gone on. A slight worry is that it’s a much tighter track than he has raced on this year.
“For a horse that stays very well, to run a mile and a half around Belmont it will be different.
“He’s potentially the best horse in the race. Whether he’s the fastest horse in the race, it’s difficult to know. It’s how the race pans out on a tight track.
“He has travelled well, so that’s all good. Jamie Spencer will ride him on Saturday.” 