Item pulled off the upset in the Dante Stakes and now sets his sights on Epsom
- Turf Diario
- May 14
- 2 min read
The Juddmonte Farm colt scored a decisive victory in the York prep and now emerges as one of the leading contenders for the Epsom Derby (G1)
YORKSHIRE, England (Special to Turf Diario).- Item, one of the least experienced runners in Thursday’s Al Basti Equiworld Dubai Dante Stakes (G2) at York and a representative of Juddmonte Farm, firmly stamped his credentials for Epsom with an authoritative victory in the traditional Derby trial.
Carefully restrained early by Colin Keane, the headstrong son of Frankel and Capla Temptress (Lope de Vega)—winner of the Natalma Stakes (G1)—traveled smoothly throughout before ranging up to leader Action (Frankel)inside the final 200 meters and quickly drawing clear to score by an emphatic 2 3/4 lengths.
Another 1 3/4 lengths back came fellow Ballydoyle representative Christmas Day (Camelot) in third.
With the victory, trainer Andrew Balding completed a Group-race double on the card after saddling See The Fire (See the Stars) to win the Middleton Stakes (G2) earlier in the afternoon.
Keane, who had also partnered Legacy Link (Dubawi)—another Juddmonte runner—in Wednesday’s Musidora Stakes (G3), commented afterward: “It took him a little while to come to hand this year, but I loved him the first time I sat on him before his debut at Kempton last season. He felt like a very nice horse. It was a solid performance today; he was a little lost early on, but then he found his rhythm.”
The rider added: “When I reached Wayne Lordan, I thought he would go right away, but he started looking around a little. He was entitled to do that in only his third career start... I don’t think the Derby distance will be an issue. He’s very balanced, so it seems the logical next step. For such a big colt, he has a very relaxed temperament, so I don’t think he’ll have any problems.”
The Juddmonte homebred preserved his unbeaten record with the impressive display for Balding. The son of Frankel tracked Action, trained by Aidan O’Brien, throughout as the latter attempted to make all under Wayne Lordan, but once Keane asked Item to quicken, the response was immediate and decisive.
Action held second, while the disappointing 11-4 favorite Christmas Day, ridden by Ryan Moore, finished third in O’Brien’s bid to secure his first Dante victory since 2010.
The result added another layer of intrigue to the developing picture for the Betfred Derby (G1), with bookmakers immediately shortening Item’s odds to 6-1 for Epsom after his York performance.
Juddmonte thus completed a clean sweep of York’s major Classic trials after Legacy Link captured the Musidora on Wednesday, establishing herself as one of the leading hopes for the Oaks (G1) as well.
The operation now hopes Item can join her in carrying its colors at Epsom Downs.
“We won a trial, so hopefully we’ll go on from here,” said Juddmonte racing manager Barry Mahon. “We want to go to the Derby, and Juddmonte is here to compete at the top table. We breed these horses to run in the best races, and the Epsom Derby is one of the greatest races in the world. We want to be there.”
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