Tyrur Big Mike continues Irish Greyhound Derby dominance
Tyrur Big Mike continued to wow spectators in the Irish Greyhound Derby at Shelbourne Park Saturday night, finishing with his fastest time to date, a spectacular 29.28 seconds. Big Mike has won all four of his Derby races heading into this weekend’s final.
As expected, Big Mike was the race favourite with odds of 5-4, and he didn’t disappoint finishing in first, ahead of Tullymurry Act by 5 ½ lengths. Act raced well and took over second place after the first bend, but wasn’t able to come close to Big Mike, who is currently a shoo-in to win the Derby.
The last to qualify in the first semi-final was Thurlesbeg Joker, who got off to a slow start, but was able to recover and get ahead of Mesedo Blue by ¾ lengths as they crossed the finish line. Also knocked out of the Derby was Colorful Champ in fifth, and Dromore Hero in sixth.
The second semi-final saw 5-2 joint favourites, Tyrur Mcguigan and Barefoot Bullet, finish in the top two spots. Mcguigan won his third consecutive race of the Derby, and may be the only hound in the final with any chance of beating Big Mike. Barefoot has won only one race of the Derby so far, but was close Saturday night finishing just a head behind Mcguigan.
Krug Ninety Five poured it on after the third bend to steal the third spot from Foyle Storm by 4 1/2 lengths. Storm has managed to go much further than expected, overcoming strong competition along the way. Last week, she managed to pass Razldazl Lord late to take third stop, and eliminated the race favourite from the Derby. The week before that, at 14-1 odds, she finished in second place ahead of another race favourite, Farley Blitz, who finished fourth.
Ballymac Under and Hats My Boy, taking fifth and sixth respectively, also saw their Derby hopes end.
The draw for Saturday’s Derby final: 1 Tullymurry Act, 2 Krug Ninety Five (m), 3 Tyrur McGuigan (m), 4 Tyrur Big Mike (m), 5 Thurlesbeg Joker (m), 6 Barefoot Bullet (w).
Irish Greyhound Derby Plate semi-finals
There were no surprises in the Greyhound Derby Plate semi-finals as all the race favourites qualified for the final.
In the first semi-final 7-4 joint favourites, Slippery Dave and St Louis Spirit, took first and third, with Three One Three placing second between them. Dave took top spot by 3 lengths over Three, and Spirit was another 1 ½ lengths behind him. Eliminated in the first semi-final were Dartrey Spring, Kerrydale Farloe, and Mustang Johnny.
The second semi-final saw Ballyfeard Brave win by 3 ½ lengths over 4-5 race favourite, Westmead Bolt. Also qualifying was Tyrur Lucky in third. Ballymac Mitsy, Royal Tornado, and Black Paws Down were all eliminated.
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