It will be all-eyes on Epsom Downs on Saturday July 4th for the Derby and the Oaks. Two of the big features of British racing will finally get the go-ahead after having been postponed for a month.
It’s going to be a cracking card that is in play on Saturday with both races happening and the entries for both have now been released.
Entries announced
With the shutdown of the British racing for a while, that no-doubt threw a spanner or two in the works of some preparations of potential runners.
But things are now more settled, at least in terms of the sport progressing behind closed doors.
So now we take a look at both of the races and what the latest odds are telling us about the races.
Oaks: Bharani Star, Dubai Love, Ennistymon, Frankly Darling, Gold Wand, Love, Oriental Mystique, Passion, Peaceful, Queen Daenerys, Tiempo Vuela.
Derby: Amhran Na Bhfiann, Armory, Emissary, English King, Gold Maze, Highland Chief, Kameko, Khalifa Set, Max Vega, Mogul, Mohican Heights, Mythical, Pyledriver, Russian Emperor, Serpentine, Vatican City, Worthily.
2020 EPSOM DERBY
There have been 17 runners entered for this year’s Derby. Heading up the field is ENGLISH KING who has Frankie Dettori booked. Given that the colt had a good score at Lingfield’s Derby trial this month, he looks to be the hot ticket.
The main opposition to English King is 2000 Guineas winner KAMEKA who is currently trading at 7/2 to land the Derby as well* (betting odds taken from Bet365 at 00:46 GMT Wednesday, July 1st 2020).
He slammed home such an impressive finish to take the 2000 Guineas, the first of this year’s Classics that he will be well supported.
But there is a chance that the 3-year-old won’t get the trip because of the uneven nature of Epsom and the extra half a mile in question.
The last horse to pull off the 2000 Guineas/Derby double was Camelot in 2012.
Trainer Aidan O’Brien has a big hand in the 2020 Epsom Derby field with seven of the entries. Those include MOGUL, RUSSIAN EMPEROR and VATICAN CITY.
They are all threats in this field as well as current 3rd, 4th and 5th favourites in the market. MOGUL was last seen at this year’s Royal Ascot where he took 4th of 6th behind winner Pyledriver in the King Edward VII Stakes.
The lightly-raced VATICAN CITY will be taking on his fourth racing track appearance only but impressed with a second-place finish in the Irish 2000 Guineas at the Curragh in June.
RUSSIAN EMPEROR scored at Royal Ascot in the Hampton Court Stakes last month.
Epsom Derby winner odds*
English King 9/4
Kameko 7/2
Mogul 7/1
Russian Emperor 13/1
Vatican City 8/1
Pyledriver 16/1
Highland Chief 16/1
Mohican Heights 20/1
Serpentine 25/1
Armory 25/1
Emissary 33/1
Khalifa Sat 33/1
Worthily 33/1
Mythical 40/1
Max Vega 50/1
Amhran Na Bhfiann 50/1
Gold Maze 50/1
* (betting odds taken from Bet365 at 00:46 GMT Wednesday, July 1st 2020)
2020 OAKS
Heading up the field for the Oaks is LOVE who is the current 11/10 favourite* (betting odds taken from Bet365 on June 30th 2020).
The 1000 Guineas winner is probably going to be looking forward to a little extra in a trip after winning a Newmarket renewal without looking at her sharpest.
Ribblesdale winner FRANKLY DARLING is a big threat in this field for trainer John Gosden. She looked to be in brilliant form on her Ascot success and the 2020 Oaks is likely to be all down to a duel between her and Love.
The Oaks winner odds*
Love 11/10
Frankly Darling 2/1
Gold Wand 14/1
Passion 20/1
Queen Daenerys 25/1
Dubai Love 25/1
Oriental Mystique 33/1
Tiempo Vuela 33/1
Bharani Star 50/1
* (betting odds taken from Bet365 on June 30th 2020).
