A very open Derby this year. Plus Que Parfait earned top rating for this when beaten a neck by Signalman in the Grade 2 Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes at Churchill Downs but he hasn't taken to Fair Grounds on his last two starts. His compatriot Gray Magician improved dramatically after joining Peter Miller, winning a Delaware maiden by 9l though he hasn't been suited by sloppy ground in his recent starts. Stubbins has won his last three at Santa Anita, two on Turf and the latest Dirt, though none at anywhere near this level. Walking Thunder won his first three on this track in the style of a special horse so it was a shock when he was beaten in the 2000 Guineas here where he never got anywhere near Estihdaaf. Frankie will have him closer to the pace here and he's better than he showed that day. Jahbath is unbeaten on the all-weather scoring three times at Kempton and once at Southwell though this is a big step-up in class on Dirt. After overcoming trouble in-running to land the UAE Oaks, DIVINE IMAGE hardly broke sweat to land a Listed contest over the track and trip and has much more to offer. She can continue her progress and take this though Aidan O'Brien won it last year with Mendelssohn and Curragh Group 2 winner Van Beethoven has a similar profile. Derma Louvre is a Listed winner in Japan who had a nice prep-run at Tokyo last month.
Walking Thunder (USA) 4-11fav (9-0) 2nd of 8, 5 1/2l behind Estihdaaf (9-0) at Meydan 1m Grp 3 fst in Feb.
Jahbath 8-13fav (9-5) Tracked leader, led 2f out, quickened clear from over 1f out, ran on well, won at Kempton 1m stks (2) pol in Mar beating Getchagetchagetcha (9-5) by 2l, 8 ran.
Golden Jaguar (USA) 2-1 (9-0) 2nd of 13, nk behind Sporting Chance (9-0) at Meydan 1m lst stks gd in Feb.
Plus Que Parfait (USA) 6-1 (8-10) 2p turns,5p into lane, 13th of 14, 20 1/4l behind War Of Will (8-10) at Fair Grounds 1m stks fst in Feb.
Derma Louvre (JPN) (8-13) 3rd of 10, 4l behind Oval Ace (8-11) at Tokyo 1m stks in Feb.
Divine Image (USA) 9-4fav (8-5) won at Meydan 1m 1f lst stks fst in Mar beating Superior (8-9) by shd, 14 ran.
Superior (USA) 33-1 (8-9) 2nd of 14, shd behind Divine Image (8-5) at Meydan 1m 1f lst stks fst in Mar.
Gray Magician (USA) 2-1 (8-6) 3wd turn,chased foe, 2nd of 6, 4 1/4l behind Alwaysmining (8-10) at Laurel Park 1m stks fst in Feb.
Razeena (CAN) 40-1 (9-0) 3rd of 11, 3 3/4l behind Divine Image (9-0) at Meydan 1m 1f Grp 3 fst in Feb.
Al Hayette (USA) 28-1 (8-5) 4th of 14, 13l behind Divine Image (8-5) at Meydan 1m 1f lst stks fst in Mar.
Van Beethoven (CAN) 6-1 (9-8) Mid-division and ran freely early, ridden into 4th 2f out, no impression over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong, just denied for 3rd, 4th of 8, 2 1/4l behind Playa Del Puente (9-3) at Dundalk 1m lst stks (1) pol in Mar.
Stubbins (USA) 19-10 (8-8) Inside,clear,drew off, won at Santa Anita 1m stks fm in Mar beating Neptune's Storm (8-10) by 8l, 5 ran.
Swift Rose (IRE) 40-1 (9-0) 2nd of 11, nk behind Divine Image (9-0) at Meydan 1m 1f Grp 3 fst in Feb.
Manguzi (FR) 6-1 (8-9) 3rd of 14, 1l behind Divine Image (8-5) at Meydan 1m 1f lst stks fst in Mar.
