Orville Clarke, Gleaner Writer

Fifteen native-bred three-year-olds get their once- in-a-lifetime shot at Derby glory at Caymanas Park today when they contest the 89th running of the premier classic over 2400 metres.

Sponsored for the first time by the United Bookmakers Asso-ciation (UBA) this, the second leg of the Triple Crown, looks an open affair, with no fewer than five or six having good claims.

These include co-favourites the 2000 Guineas hero BRUCEONTHELOOSE, to be ridden as usual by leading all-time classic winning Winston 'Fanna' Griffiths for 14-time champion trainer Philip Feanny; the 1000 Guineas and Oaks winner SAINT CECELIA, and the Lotto Classic (Governor's Cup) winner HE'S REALLY OK, to again be ridden by title-chasing jockey Paul 'Country' Francis for trainer Frederick Watson.

The race is not necessarily confined to the above-mentioned trio, as others such as the 2000 Guineas third-place finisher POSEIDON, the Governor's Cup runner-up JAYLEN and THE RED SKULL, who was a fast-finishing third in that race, should ensure an intriguing contest.

Still, the top two are undoubtedly BRUCEONTHELOOSE and the talented filly SAINT CECELIA. Having won the respective Guineas, both are still in line for possible Triple Crown honours.

They should also carry the bulk of the betting, even though there will be good support for HE'S REALLY OK, POSEIDON (Allen Maragh up) from the Dwight Chen stables and JAYLEN, conditioned by Dalton Sirjue, who saddled his first winner on May 2.

Despite this Sirjue, who started training in June 2007, is the only trainer with two runners in the race - JAYLEN under customary pilot Richie Mitchell and SPACE FURY, who recently won a three-year-old maiden condition race over 1820 metres by the proverbial city block on debut.

SPACE FURY, now up against the best of his age group, will be thwarted by his lack of experience, but the trainer has high hopes for the Fitzroy Glispie-owned JAYLEN, who finished a good second in the Governor's Cup after missing the break.

"It's a wonderful feeling to have two horses in what is the biggest race in terms of prestigue," Sirjue said. "JAYLEN, in particular, is a legitimate contender for top honours following his brave effort behind HE'S REALLY OK in the Lotto Classic. I think I have a good chance with him."

While JAYLEN (improving) should make a race of it, not to mention POSEIDON who was 'washed out' before the Governor's Cup and failed to justify favouritism, the focus of attention will definitely be on the big three - BRUCEONTHELOOSE, SAINT CECEILA and HE'S REALLY OK.

Each, in their own way, has good claims, but the one I like best is BRUCEONTHELOOSE, who is unbeaten in four starts this season and has looked razor sharp at exercise in preparation for the race.

Owned by Tres Amigos and bred by HAM Stables Limited, the stockily-built grey colt, by Wheelaway out of Road To Justice, truly impressed when having his Derby prep in open allowance company, slamming the useful PRIME MINISTER by seven lengths in a fast-run 1820 race on May 25, covering the distance in the smart time of 1:55.1, despite top weight of 57.0kg.

Strong performance

That performance by 'BRUCE' has stamped him as the best three-year-old in my book and, while there is a school of though that questions his ability to get the Derby distance, I do not share that view, as Feanny has trained him for the race, giving him long and sustained gallops in preparation for the marathon.

Feanny was brief in his comment regarding BRUCEONTHELOOSE.

"Everything is fine. So far, so good," he said.

Interestingly, SAINT CECELIA is trained by Feanny's protege, Spencer Chung, who had this to say of the filly.

"She faces two tough opponents in BRUCEONTHELOOSE and HE'S REALLY OK and will have to be at her best. Going a mile and a half we all have stamina concerns," Chung explained.

"She has never been at that distance before, she's a little on the green side when it comes to race experience and will definitely need to step up on her game against the colts but I think she can prove equal to the task," he added.

Having shown good pace in her races, SAINT CECELIA will in no way allow BRUCEONTHELOOSE to set the fractions from the halfway stage and will no doubt try to go with him, but 'BRUCE' will be stronger.

It could be left to HE'S REALLY OK, POSEIDON or the late-kicking THE RED SKULL to fight it out for second.

The Wayne DaCosta-trained THE RED SKULL finished fast into third place in the Governor's Cup and should relish every inch of the Derby distance and looks the best of the darkhorses, especially with champion jockey Omar Walker aboard.

I also like the unbeaten American filly RACING MACHINE to win the $1.5 UBA Sprint over 1300 metres ahead of reigning 'Horse of the Year', ALSAFRA; SKITTLE QUEEN in the fifth; NEPTUNE in the sixth; PATTA in the 10th and down in class THE GUARDIAN over HONEYOFALADY in the nightpan.