 | Derby City Finals
10 days of the the most exhausting pool event on the planet and the hardest working men and women players have a new All Around Champion, a new One Pocket Champion, a two time Bank Pool Champion, and a three time 9-Ball Champion. And they are: Francisco Bustamante, Gabe Owen, Larry Price,  and Ralf Souquet (pictured).
Souquet earned $17,500 for first place in the 9-Ball, while Bustamante snatched $8,800 for runner up plus $20,000 for the All Around. Gabe's total points earned 2nd in the All Around and Souquet's 9-ball win awarded him third.
Owen Undefeated in Diamond DCC One Pocket
Gabe Owen owes a lot to his girlfriend. Jennifer asked him on New Years Day, "What are your goals for 2008?" "I haven't really thought about it," he responded. "If you make it a goal, rather than a New year's resolution, you'll make extra effort to accomplish it." "OK," he committed, I wanna eat healthier and win an event at Derby City."
 It started to look real when Gabe eliminated Efren, the 4 four time All Around Champion! Then, he drew a bye -- straight into the Hot Seat. There he waited for semi-finalist Bustamante who had just punished Pagulayan, or Nevel, who had, simultaneously, ejected Mougey. Shannon Daulton, Alex Pagulayan, and Ryan Stone were victims of the final three's victories.
Bustey started out with a 6 - 2 lead, scratched, and the rest was history. Larry's unnerving tenacity and solid banking power put Bustey in a coma. On one occasion, he forgot what pocket he had and later missed with ball in hand. Larry won 3-0.
Gabe was looking good. Undefeated, he still had his buy-back. Nevel, the 2003 All-Around champion, had to beat him twice. The first race to 3 looked like it would go to Nevel as he did get ahead 2-1. Down to the last ball the the 4th game, Gabe turned the tables and never looked back. Nevel got close, and his confidence level should be high and, with his big break, he definitely stands to do well in final day of 9-Ball. Gabe has a shot there too, now that the pressure is off and his goal is accomplished, well, at least one of them. Road food can be tough.
 The last day of 9-Ball will determine the All around Champion. And it's truly up for grabs. Pagulayan, Owen, Van Boening, Reyes, Archer, Mark Tadd, Rodolfo Luat, Charlie Williams, Steve Moore, Oscar Dominguez, Bobby Pickle, Ike Runnels, Jose Parica, Tony Crosby, are all still hanging tough, as is Mika Immonen who was beaten earlier by Bustey.
The top women players are definitely a threat. And the crowd loves their action. It's standing room only when they compete. Allison Fisher, with a 7-1 win over Allen Hopkins, "never missed a ball." Then, with an underdog, unexpectedly, she hit the wall. Allison will exercise her buy-back. Anna Kostanian defeated Banks semi-finalist Sylver Ochoa altho, now she has to play John Schmidt. Karen Corr is still alive as is Kim Shaw, and Helena Thornfeldt now faces tourney favorite, and P & B Player of the year, Shane Van Boening.
After the grueling effort of playing three tourneys all week, plus the after hours action, the late hours certainly put these players to the test. Bustey is a serious contender for the All Around, and the extra $25,000. He played it smart; he went to bed.
Bob Jewett's straight pool challenge comes to a close as Darren Appleton and Neils Feijen compete in a final race to 150 in the Accu-Stats Arena. The fans are loving it.
David Thomson. photos ©2008 mediumpool.com
One Pocket an 9-Ball action in Derby City
Not even a fire alarm that sounded throughout the premises could douse the flames of rivalry that filled the halls of Louisville's famed pool temple. Rumors, as to the cause, spread like wildfire as players and fans ambled from the building.
The hotel's evacuation was only temporary and the only thing put out were the elevators. Accu-Stats soon rolled tape and the event resumed as all filed into the warm arenas.
 We were now down to 30 from the 390 one pocket entrants who had amassed from around the world. It seems the expanding pool universe loves one pocket as the skill levels continue to increase.
Early, and surprising, eliminations included Shawn Putnam, Scott Frost, Rudolfo Luat, Tony Chohan, John Brumback, and Ike Runnels. Matches of mention were a last ball, nailbiter as Shannon Daulton ejected Cliff Joyner, and Charlie Williams' 3-0 destruction of Alex Pagulayan which, shocked the audience…and the sweaters. After his buy-back, Alex's next draw was against his elder and dominant one pocket educator, Efren Reyes. At 2-1 down, it looked like Alex was ready for early retirement. With humor and determination, and much to onlooker glee, he gallantly drew the match to two. Efren, indomitable, soon had a 4-1 lead in the final game. Alex, undaunted, attacked the rack. With skillful, cue ball manipulation he ran the last 7 balls to leave Efren agape.
Efren calmly optioned his buy-back and ploughed thru the field and, late Thursday afternoon, neatly disposed of Allen Hopkins. At midnight, as the Reyes onslaught continued, we were down to nine. Luckily, he caught the bye.
In the last eight, Larry Nevel faces Gabe Owen, Shannon versus Francisco Bustamante, underdogs Tony Moughey and Ryan Stone, in their best finishes ever, play each other, and England's Darren Appleton is pitted against the still thriving Alex Pagulayan.
Simultaneously, 436 9-ball busters are in the process of elimination. Diamond Derby City Classic creator Greg Sullivan's dream is becoming reality as more and more women professional players are competing in his truly open event. Allison Fisher, Helena Thornfeldt, Jeanette Lee, and Kim Shaw all enjoyed first round wins, while Karen Corr and Monica Webb have yet to play.
 Reigning 9-Ball winner Niels Feijen, past champs Mika Immonen and Steve Moore, Johnny Archer, Sylver Ochoa, Santos Sambajon, Bobby Pickle, Rodolfo Luat, Ernesto Dominguez, Jeremy Jones, John Morra, Mark Tadd, Louis Ulrich, Shin Young Park, Charlie Bryant, and Efren Reyes are all one step nearer. And, with many matches still to play, the All Around title is wide open. On a sad note, Earl Strickland was scheduled to attend, but last Thursday, his father unexpectedly passed away. We all wish to express our deep condolences and sorrow for his loss.
10th Annual Diamond Derby City All Around Championship
456 of the world's greatest "bank robbers" were reduced to two as Larry Price or Sylver Ochoa faced sudden death in the 10th Annual Diamond DCC Bank Pool Championships. 22 year old, Texas Open Champion Ochoa had just sent Shawn Putnam packing at 3rd, while 2002 Bank Pool Champ Larry awaited the fearless young gun. The sweaters wondered, "At 56 years old, could Larry repeat?"
  Poised and persistent, Larry's determination never faltered. "I knew I couldn't out-shoot him, but I knew I could out-move him." Experience counts. "I've lived on my pool skills my whole life." With two titles at Derby, we know that the first was no accident. Now Sylver knows too. He got $5,000 for second. With $10,000, Larry laughed all the way to the bank.
The heist continues. Stay tuned for more on One Pocket and 9-Ball.
At left, Sylver Ochoa, at right, Larry Price. photos by mediumpool.com
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