Horse Racing News: Moore Hoping Los Angeles Can Turn Tables on Ambiente Friendly in Irish Derby
This Sunday, the prestigious Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby at the Curragh Racecourse will see a rematch between jockey Ryan Moore’s mount, Los Angeles, and the runner-up from the Epsom Derby, Ambiente Friendly.
The duo last met earlier this month in the Epsom Derby, where Ambiente Friendly, ridden by James Fanshawe, finished second, with Los Angeles, trained by Aidan O’Brien, coming in third. The race was won impressively by the O’Brien-trained City Of Troy, also piloted by Moore.
However, Moore is optimistic that the Curragh track will suit Los Angeles better and believes the colt could improve on his previous performance, as it will only be his fifth career start.
“He was a Group One-winning two-year-old, he won his trial nicely at Leopardstown and he ran a super race in the Derby,” Moore told RTE’s Morning Ireland. “I think the Curragh will suit him well. He’s done very little wrong in his career. Obviously, he’s got to turn the form around with Ambiente Friendly, who was a good runner-up in the Derby. We’ve got a few lengths to find but hopefully he’s still open to improvement and we would like to think he can find a little bit more returning to the Curragh.”
Joining Los Angeles in the Irish Derby field are several other O’Brien-trained runners, including Epsom ninth-placer Euphoric, Grosvenor Square, and The Euphrates, who makes a quick return after finishing fifth in the King Edward VII Stakes at Royal Ascot last week.
The home defense is completed by the Ger Lyons-trained Keeper’s Heart, while the British challenge includes Ambiente Friendly, the French Derby seventh Sunway, trained by David Menuisier, and the Roger Varian-trained Leicester novice winner Matsuri.
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