Spruce Meadows National, Sunday Afternoon: Leslie Howard Conquers the Derby

The weather co-operated for the Nexen Cup Derby today; after a downpour with full throttle thunder and lightning at 1 PM, by 2:30 the sun was shining.

 

And the sun really shone for Leslie Howard and Lenox Lewis 2, who only had one rail down on the tough derby course.  The Nexen Derby, which includes natural obstacles such as  the bank, the table, and the Devils Dyke, has only produced three clear rounds in the years it has been held.  

Leslie Howard and Lenox Lewis 2. ©Moranequinephoto.com

Eduardo Menezes of Brazil, riding in only his second ever derby, was a close second with one rail down and one time fault.

Eduardo Menezes and Percynality navigate the derby bank. ©moranequinephoto.com

The Nexen Derby was the last class of the Spruce Meadows National Tournament. The action begins again on Thursday when the Continental Tournament gets underway.