The 9th Annual Derby City Classic

Efren ‘Bata’ Reyes was once again the star of the show of the ever bigger and better Derby City Classic that just wrapped up its 9th year in Louisville, Ky. With the faultering of the International Pool Tour, top players came from all over to take their chance in this premier event, with over four hundred players entered in both the Banks and the One Pocket divisions. Some of the international players making their appearance this year included regulars Francisco Bustamante, Mika Immonen and Ralf Souquet as well as newcomers (or relative newcomers) Dennis Orcollo, Darren Appleton and Evgenij Stalev.

As the Banks division progressed it looked like Efren was out to prove he could win at Banks, too — having won both the 9-Ball and One Pocket in prior years. Finally he was stopped twice by first-time Derby winner Stevie Moore from Atlanta.

Unfazed, Efren proceeded to march through the One Pocket field undefeated, leaving him the prohibitive favorite for the all-around title going in to the 9-Ball.

Of course the DCC wouldn’t be the same without the 24-7 action games that spread nightly from the ‘practice room’ to the tournament tables scattered throughout the hotel. Even Efren found time to relax with a little late night One Pocket versus Scott Frost and Corey Deuel. Granted, he did lose to Corey after hours, but who else would even consider offering Corey a 10-7 handicap in One Pocket?

[button link=”http://www.poolinaction.com/2007-Tournaments/2007-Derby-City-Classic” linking=”new-window” align=”left” size=”medium” type=”standard” style=”simple” icon=”camera”]View all photos from the event[/button]