Epsom Derby In Sight for Capulet After Dee Victory
Capulet (3c Justify x Wedding Vow, by Galileo) was the second stakes winner in two days for Justify when the colt entered the Group I Epsom Derby picture with a victory in the Dee Stakes at Chester.
Making his second start of the year in the turf race run over just over 1 ¼ miles, Capulet went straight to the lead under Ryan Moore. He had to deal with pressure throughout by Zoffany’s Jayarebe and was asked to put that one away inside the final furlong.
Another Zoffany runner came running late to finish half-length behind Capulet, giving trainer Aidan O’Brien an 11th Dee Stakes victory.
"The Derby and the French Derby are the first two races that come to mind,” said Paul Smith. “He gets a mile and two well and would probably get a mile and four the way he runs. We'll have the trials at the weekend and next week then Aidan will sit down with the lads and discuss it and we'll make a plan from there. I thought Ryan gave him a lovely ride. He appreciated the step up in trip, no doubt. He's an uncomplicated horse who travels well."
Capulet is a homebred runner for the Coolmore partners, who has finished in the top three in all five starts with two Group II placings as well.
The sophomore is one of two winners from four to race out of the Group II winner and Group I placed Wedding Vow. Out of Group I placed Remember When, Wedding Vow is a full sister to Group I Epsom Derby winner Serpentine, Group winners Bye Bye Baby and Beacon Rock, stakes winner Bound, and stakes placed Team Captain among the seven winners out of their dam.
The family stays strong throughout with Remember When a three-quarter sister to multiple champion Dylan Thomas and half-sister to champions Queen’s Logic and Homecoming Queen. Homecoming Queen also produced Group I winner Shale.
Wedding Vow had a Wootton Bassett filly last year after returning to Ireland.
This was the third stakes winner in the last two weeks for Justify, who also saw son Valentine Candy win the Bachelor Stakes to end April.