2015 Palm Beach 3/8ths Mile Derby Preview
2014 Derby Champion Flying Zinc
One of the most prestigious Stakes tourneys in the entire country gets rolling today at Palm Beach, with qualifying for the 84th running of the James W. Paul 3/8ths Mile Derby. This Tournament has been running every year since the club opened in 1932. Just like every other Stakes series going on this season, many contenders have a shot to bring home the top prize to their Team.Here are the top contenders and possible surprises for the 2015 Derby at “The Beach.”
Favorites
Ethel Is Here ~ Janie Carroll Kennel
14 wins this season, 37.28 secs best time (Track Record)
Has just been dominant since transferring over from Flager early in the season. Broke the track record on November 4th and is a 63% winner at this distance. Will be trying for Janie Carroll’s first Stakes Title at Palm Beach.
JS Jump For Joy ~ Koppe, Staats & Collins
9 wins this season, 37.76 secs best time
Has only run 5 official starts at this distance…and has won 3 of them. One of the best box poppers in the Tournament. Owner Shannon Henry seems to always have one of her racers in a the Stakes Finals here.
Peddler ~ Ryan Racing Team
8 wins on the season, 37.71 secs best time
Switched over to the 660 yard after the He’s My Man Classic and has immediately found success. Has won three out of his last four starts and has broken 38 secs in each one of those wins. Looks to be in top form at the perfect time.
PJ Timeless ~ Rader Racing
~11 wins on the season, 37.76 best time
The top Kennel at Palm Beach sends one of the most versatile athletes ever into this Tournament. Timeless is the only returning Derby Final qualifier from last year that is in the field this season.
Atascocita Sybil ~ Suncoast Racing
~12 wins on the season, 37.76 secs best time
Biggest wildcard of the field. Is the top Marathon racer currently here after striking for 5 in a row in January. Will the Marathon success transfer to the shorter distance?
Next Best
Tewnup ~ North Shore Kennel
Has one of the top times of the season (37.51 secs) and did win three Grade TA races in January.
Nothin ForNothin ~ Rader Racing
With the Stakes success this Kennel has had at this track, it wouldn’t surprise me at all to see one of their racers win this Tournament.
Kiowa Hathaway ~ Suncoast Racing
An inside post in the first round is just where Hathaway wants to be to set her up to qualify for the Final. Any starting rail position for this greyhound could give her an advantage as the Tournament goes along.
*Jj's Tango*
Possible Longshots
~Jj’s Tango
~Budz Lava Girl
~Pat C Brightly
~Starz Opera
~Lucy Lawless (Ethel Is Here's sister)
Predictions
Here are predictions for who will be taking home the top prize from myself, as well as people I work with in the industry:
Palm Beach Jason
Ethel Is Here is well rested and nobody is better than her when she is at the top of her game. Best winning percentage and stats coming into the tournament. The track record holder adds a Stakes Title to her legacy.
Track Announcer Mike Jameson
“The Derby winner will run from Rader Racing! Tough choice between Nothin ForNothin and one of the most versatile athletes we have seen in a long time PJ Timeless. Timeless is my choice! It’s been almost a year since our top Kennel won a Stakes race and that will change this year in the Derby.
Track Announcer Dale Simmons
"My top four, for a first round win and a spot in the Final: I like Atascocita Sybil, Peddler, Ethel Is Here and my pick for the Title JS Jump For Joy."
GreyhoundNews.co
"I’m going with Peddler from Ryan Racing in the Derby. Has looked strong and breaking well the last few weeks."
Randy Birch - International Host of BigJackpotBetting.com
"Going with PJ Timeless. Best rush and experience in the field."
Enjoy the Derby qualifying everybody!
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