Jersey Derby : Snow Chief Will Face 10 Challengers

Snow Chief, the winner of the Preakness Stakes last Saturday, has been installed as the 7-5 favorite and will start from the No. 5 post position Monday in the $1-million Jersey Derby at Garden State Park.

Only seven or eight horses had been expected to run, but 11 were entered. First place pays $600,000, with the next four positions being worth $200,000, $110,000, $60,000 and $30,000.

Snow Chief’s biggest challengers in the 1-mile race are Tasso, Fobby Forbes and Mogambo. Tasso, last year’s champion 2-year-old colt, has yet to regain that form as a 3-year-old. He won his first start this year, then has been third, fourth and second in subsequent races.

Fobby Forbes finished seventh and Mogambo 10th in the Kentucky Derby, ahead of favored Snow Chief, who wound up 11th.

The Jersey Derby field: Mogambo, with Jose Santos riding; Ensign Rhythm, Rick Wilson; Tasso, Laffit Pincay; Miracle Wood, Chris Antley; Snow Chief, Alex Solis; Royal Doulton, Craig Perret; Dese Days, Jean-Luc Samyn; Fobby Forbes, Vince Bracciale; Haddon Hour, Buck Thonburg; Bordeaux Bob, Declan Murphy, and A Blend of Six, no rider listed. All of the starters will carry 126 pounds.