We’ve already discussed trends as they pertain to Blenheim Palace’s chances in Saturday G1 Belmont Derby, but that doesn’t mean handicappers should dismiss Cape of Good Hope out of hand off one poor running line. Why?
Because he is a full brother to Highland Reel, a Grade and Group 1 winner at every corner of the globe, from his European base to North America and to the Far East.
In a vote of confidence, O’Brien entered him back in the Group 1 Prix du Jockey Club, a prestigious event in which he finished a respectable fourth.
‘Cape’ returned to the races 18 days later in the Gr3 Hampton Court on soft ground during the Royal Ascot meet but to no avail.
I’m betting that this most recent effort was meant to serve as a bridge to Saturday’s G1 Belmont Derby.
However the course condition is listed this weekend, the ground in New York will be a lot firmer than the one he experienced in the London suburb. We don’t expect O’Brien to be embarrassed twice in succession.
