James J Braddock has been a value buy already for Kevin Blake and he is relishing the chance to run his horse in the Derby.
Kevin Blake On Derby Excitment With James J Braddock
James J Braddock showed promise as a two-year-old last season when winning a Curragh maiden on his second start by six lengths.
And now connections are dreaming of Derby glory after the son of Zarak was declared for the big race at Epsom.
He was a narrow winner of a Derby trial at Leopardstown a few weeks ago when getting up on the line to deny Pierre Bonnard.
The pair will meet again on Saturday and James J Braddock’s owner, Kevin Blake, is excited. Wednesday’s Derby draw saw Blake’s charge in stall 13.
“I’m actually quite happy (with the draw), especially when you look at the structure of the race and where the fancied horses are drawn compared to the outsiders.
“The excitement is off the scale. I can’t believe it’s happening really. We’re getting closer now and it’s becoming very real. The rain is falling, which we’re happy with, and now the draw has been made we’re just counting down the days.
“Everything has gone super smooth and it couldn’t be better.”
Longstanding ITV Racing pundit Blake has been a big part of Joseph O’Brien’s yard over the years and could finally achieve Classic glory with his own runner.
Derby Odds: Kevin Blake Runner A 10/1 Shot
- Benvenuto Cellini 2/1 (Aidan O’Brien)
- Item 10/3 (Andrew Balding)
- Pierre Bonnard 5/1 (Aidan O’Brien)
- Maltese Cross 9/1 (William Haggas)
- James J Braddock 10/1 (Joseph O’Brien)
- Bay Of Brilliance 14/1 (Ralph Beckett)
- Ancient Egypt 16/1 (Charlie Johnston)
- Action 20/1 (Aidan O’Brien)
- Christmas Day 25/1 (Aidan O’Brien)
- Balzac 150/1 (Jane Chapple-Hyam)
- Poker 200/1 (Karl Burke)
- Rebel Rocker 200/1 (Faye Bramley)
- A Taste Of Glory 250/1 (Andrew Balding
- Alderman 250/1 (Richard Hannon)
Trainer Joseph O’Brien also has one of the fancied Epsom Oaks runners on Friday in Thundering On.
The young trainer could be eyeing a famous double with Thundering On in the Oaks and James J Braddock in the Derby.
O’Brien won two Derbys as a jockey, but was never able to win the Oaks.
