Result: Victoire Nationale Brittany Derby Championship

Location: Ardmore, Oklahoma

Post Date: Mar 12, 2021

Submitted By: Jan Kilpatrick

The Victoire Nationale Brittany Derby was established in 1974 "'to glorify the Derby prospect most likely to theoretically win the United State Open Brittany Championship one day." Eighteen promising juvenile dogs from across the country competed for the honors in 2021.

Once again, we thank Purina for their continued sponsorship and monetary support of' this Derby Championship. Purina also donates Pro Plan dog food to the winning canine athletes most ofwl1om are fueled by this premium product every day to keep them performing at a peak performance level.

Judges Alex Jacocks of Edmond, Okla., and Virgil Moore of Canyon, Tex., were looking for all-age potential, with a forward course-covering application at an extended range and reasonable willingness to handle. Though they needed to see a dog point, broke manners were not essential.

The two dogs adjudicated as the best exhibiting their criteria were:

The champion came from brace No. 3, Cedar Valley Luke, handed by Tom Tracy Jr., for owner Todd Babbel of Dunbar, Neb.

Luke moved fast and forward hunting hard with purpose throughout his hour. Luke pointed with intensity on his two bird finds at 14 and 40 then showed acceptable Derby manners. Luke's display of extreme range, coupled with his intense style on birds and a strong forward finish earned him the championship title.

Runner-up champion, from brace No. 4, was Piney Run White Lightning ("Buzz"), handled by Scott Johnson, and owned by John Chejne of Roseville, Minn.

Buzz had a pleasing way of moving across the country. He made big line moves throughout his hour that belied his young age having turned one year old the day before he ran. Buzz had two stylish finds which he handled with acceptable Derby manners. He shortened late but continued with a good, forward finish. A fine promising young dog well deserving of the runner-up champion title.

THE RUNNING

Saturday, March 13, 2021. Conditions were warmish, breezy and humid for the a.m. braces then just dadgum hot and windy for the afternoon braces.

Bullet's Mon Petite (''Lucy/Vic Carrington) and Code of Noble (Steve Chang). Lucy was lost at 40. Noble had birds at 18 and 55 but his race and application were erratic.

Piney Run Senor (''Big''/Kent Patterson) and Cedar Valley Zeke (T. Tracy). Big had a nice forward race going to all the right places but found no birds. Zeke ran mostly forward and had stylish points at 18 and 55 which were handled with acceptable Derby manners but just didn't have the range or application of the winning dogs.

Dan De Stihl Going (Steve Chang) was braced with the winner, Cedar Valley Luke. Dan ran short and erratic with one find at 45.

Who Dat When I Say 'Who Dat (T. Tracy) was down with Runner-up Piney Run White Lightning. Who Dat was erratic in his application but carded two bird finds then slowed down considerably towards the finish.

In brace No. 5 were C V K's Jungle Land (''Clarence''/T. Tracy) and Frosty Meadows Rambling Man (''Bo''/S. Johnson). Both Clarence and Bo exhibited mostly forward races but had no bird contact in the 45 minutes they were on the ground.

Alar's Sun Dancer (Ed Tillson) and Jo Wells Duchess of Desting (Joe Williams). Jo Wells had a stylish find at 25 but both dogs were picked up early.

The second day, Sunday, March 14, was cloudy, cooler and breezy but very humid.

No. 7: Rusty Ridge Busting Loose ("Buster''/Claude Kilpatrick) and Roustabout Freddie (T. Tracy). Freddie was not performing to his handler's expectations and was picked up at 18. Buster handled kindly moving forward at a fast efficient gait and had bird contact at 20 with no point observed. He continued moving smoothly over Course I but his range was shorter than the dogs being carried so he was picked up at 40.

American Urban Legend (Steve Chang) and TMR's Lucky Betts (T. Tracy). Legend couldn't get it going this morning so up at 17. Betts has a solid point handled with acceptable Derby manners at 25, then became sticky and was picked up at 30.

In No. 9, Been There ("Tip"/T. Tracy) and Piney Run Zack (Kent Patterson). made fast casts forward from breakaway with Tip scoring a bird find at 6 with acceptable derby manners. Both continued forward still making some good all-age moves but their races had slowed considerably so they were picked up at 45.

Ardmore, Okla., March 12

Judges: Dr. Alex Jacocks and Virgil Moore

VICTOIRE NATIONALE BRITTANY DERBY CHAMPIONSHIP

[One-Hour Heats] -- 18 Brittanys

Winner--CEDAR VALLEY LUKE, 1694029, male, by Maxwell's Prickly Pete--Roustabout Shine. Todd Babbel, owner; Tom Tracy, handler.

Runner-Up--PINEY RUN WHITE LIGHTNING, 1694531, male, by Piney Run Jake--Piney Run Candy. John Chejne, owner; Scott Johnson, handler.