Breeders’ Cup engagements are in play for Bolshoi Ballet, Santa Barbara | NYRA
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Jul 11, 2021
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Breeders’ Cup engagements are in play for Bolshoi Ballet, Santa Barbara

by NYRA Press Office



Belmont Park Notes

·    Breeders’ Cup engagements are in play for Bolshoi Ballet, Santa Barbara

·    Lemista, Pocket Square breeze for G1 Diana; Higher Truth to target G1 Saratoga Oaks Invitational

·    G1 Belmont Oaks runner-up Con Lima targets second leg of Turf Triple series; Malathaat and Country Grammer on the work tab

·    Souper Sensational looks to G1 Longines Test after earning 95 BSF for G3 Victory Ride score

·    G1 Belmont Derby pacesetter Hard Love in need of stronger splits

·    Godolphin fillies Althiqa and Summer Romance breeze for G1 Diana

·    All graded stakes Cross Country Pick 5 registers total pool of $197K; pays $1,500

·    Stars and Stripes Day generates $21.5 million in all sources handle


The luck of the Irish was present at Belmont Park on Saturday when Irish-breds Santa Barbara and Bolshoi Ballet captured their respective 10-furlong first legs of the Turf Triple series for champion trainer Aidan O’Brien and Coolmore partners Michael Tabor, Mrs. John Magnier, Derrick Smith and Westerberg.

Santa Barbara won the Grade 1 Belmont Oaks Invitational after some anxious moments around the far turn and into the stretch. Expertly piloted by jockey Ryan Moore, Santa Barbara saved ground between horses down the backstretch, but lacked racing room at the top of the stretch. Approaching the furlong marker, she angled into the clear and displayed a devastating turn-of-foot going from seventh to first in the final two points of call. The half-length victory garnered a 90 Beyer Speed Figure.

Two races later, the all navy blue Coolmore colors found prosperity once more when Bolshoi Ballet backed up his heavy favoritism in the Grade 1 Belmont Derby. The beaten favorite last out in the Group 1 Epsom Derby on June 5 saw redemption by making a wide, sweeping move at the top of the stretch under Moore to win by 1 ¼ lengths.

Bolshoi Ballet and Santa Barbara will head back to Ballydoyle Training Center in Ireland on Sunday evening, where further plans will be evaluated.

“They both ate up well last night and left nothing. They walked this morning and are a hundred percent,” said O’Brien’s travelling assistant T.J. Comerford. “They’ll head home tonight, but they’re in good shape after running.”

Comerford said that a start in the Breeders’ Cup World Thoroughbred Championships on November 6 at Del Mar are possibly in play for both horses.

Santa Barbara would likely target the Grade 1, $2 million Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Turf, while Bolshoi Ballet would be a candidate for the Grade 1, $4 million Breeders’ Cup Turf – which O’Brien has won six times.

“That’s the plan for them both,” Comerford said. “Wherever they go next is another thing, but now that they had a bit of practice coming over here, it will be easier the next time.”

The second legs of the Turf Triple for sophomore fillies are the Grade 1, $1 million Saratoga Derby Invitational on August 7 and the Grade 3, $700,000 Saratoga Oaks Invitational on August 8. Comerford said while both races have not been ruled out for either horse, they would be more likely to campaign in Europe before heading back to the United States for the Breeders’ Cup.

“It’s probably an option, but now that they have it done, maybe we’ll find some other horses to come to Saratoga with,” Comerford said. “I’m sure we’ll have something - maybe not these two - but Aidan will decide.”

Comerford said both Santa Barbara and Bolshoi Ballet have been highly regarded horses for O’Brien from the get-go.

“He brought two very good horses this time,” Comerford said. “The filly was favored in the Guineas and finished third. The colt was favored in the Derby, he just didn’t get to running. The ground didn’t come up the way we had hoped, but he took his chance. He did get galloped well into behind, but he came out of it very well.”

Santa Barbara, a daughter of 2012 Epsom and Irish Derby winner Camelot, arrived at the Belmont Oaks off three straight starts at Group 1 caliber, the most recent of which was a narrow defeat to older filly Thundering Nights in the Group 1 Pretty Polly at the Curragh, just 13 days before the Belmont Oaks. A similar route was taken with 2018 Belmont Oaks victress Athena, who won off six days rest when third in that year’s Pretty Polly.

Prior to the Pretty Polly, she was a respective fourth and fifth in the British 1000 Guineas on May 2 at Newmarket and the Epsom Oaks on June 4 at Epsom Downs. 

“In fairness to her, her last three races were top class Group 1 races so she had plenty of experience,” said Comerford. “She showed in the Oaks that she had a good turn of foot, even though they were going steady. Ryan never hit her. Even after the race, he said it was the easiest winner he’s ridden.”

Breeders’ Cup victories has been a family tradition for Santa Barbara, whose half-siblings Order of Australia and Iridessa captured the 2020 Breeders’ Cup Mile and 2019 Filly and Mare Turf, respectively. Santa Barbara’s grand dam, Starine, won the 2002 Filly and Mare Turf for late Hall of Fame trainer Bobby Frankel.

“She’s starting to progress like him [Order of Australia] and Iridessa,” Comerford said. “She’s starting to go along the same lines as them. She’s just getting better. The next time she’ll be a lot more streetwise again. It was only her fifth start.”

Prior to the Epsom Derby, Bolshoi Ballet registered two Group 3 victories at Leopardstown going the Belmont Derby distance. Comerford said a mile and a half is easily within the athletic colt’s ability. 

“If it were a mile and a half yesterday, he would have won further,” Comerford said. “He wants a mile and a quarter, but a mile and a half isn’t a problem to him either.”

A victory in the Belmont Derby came on the same day as the passing of Bolshoi Ballet’s internationally acclaimed sire Galileo, who captured the Epsom Derby, Irish Derby and King George & Queen Elizabeth Diamond, all Group 1, in 2001.

“There are going to be other Galileo horses that come along, but we were fortunate to win yesterday,” Comerford said. “He’s proven to be a decent horse and we’ve always thought a lot of him.”

***

Lemista, Pocket Square breeze for G1 Diana; Higher Truth to target G1 Saratoga Oaks Invitational

Trainer Chad Brown breezed a number of horses over the Belmont Park inner turf on Sunday morning, including Lemista and Pocket Square who are both on target for the Grade 1, $500,000 Diana on July 17 at Saratoga.

The pair of Diana aspirants worked five furlongs in company with Lemista completing her work in bullet time of 1:01.80 outside of Pocket Square, who finished off in 1:01.89.

Owned by Peter Brant, Lemista earned a 100 Beyer in her North American debut in the Grade 3 Beaugay on May 8 at Belmont, finishing a late-closing second to Harvey’s Lil Goil. The 4-year-old daughter of 2008 Breeders’ Cup Classic winner Raven’s Pass was a Group 2 winner three starts back at the Curragh over yielding going.

Juddmonte Farm’s Pocket Square, a Group 3 winner in France, was impressive in her North American debut on April 7 at Keeneland and subsequently was fifth as the lukewarm favorite in the Grade 1 Longines Just a Game on June 5 at Belmont.

“They both worked well with one another and are going to the Diana,” Brown said. “Lemista has relished the time in between her races. With Pocket Square, I’m drawing a line through the Just a Game. She was lined up so well going into that race and there were things I was hopeful she would be able to overcome, but it didn’t quite work out.” 

Brown has won the Diana six times, including the past five editions with talented turf distaffers Dacita [2016], Lady Eli [2017] Sistercharlie [2018-19] and Rushing Fall [2020].

On Saturday, Brown sent out Michael Ryan, Jeff Drown and Team Hanley’s Higher Truth for her stakes debut in the Grade 1 Belmont Oaks Invitational, finishing a close third, beaten a half-length to Santa Barbara.

Brown said the daughter of the late Galileo will target the Grade 3, $700,000 Saratoga Oaks Invitational on August 8.

“I thought she ran well. I was proud of her effort,” Brown said. “It looked like she was in for a good chance late in the race and picked up a piece of it at the end. We’ll probably move on to the next leg [of the Turf Triple series].”

Higher Truth arrived at the Belmont Oaks off two starts at ten furlongs, breaking her maiden by a half-length over the inner turf on April 22 before defeating winners on June 10.

“She’s had three mile and a quarter races in a row, so she’s gained a lot of experience and fitness,” Brown said. “I think down the road, she’ll be able to run even further.”

Brown said he could have at least two fillies for the Saratoga Oaks as Rocky Sky, previously considered for the Belmont Oaks, opted to wait for the second leg.

Owned by Peter Brant, Rocky Sky is a two-time winner in her native Ireland, capturing the ten-furlong Salsabil last out on April 25.

“We thought she would benefit from more time going into the Saratoga Oaks, so that’s where she’s headed to,” said Brown.

Brown said recent allowance optional claiming winner Amy C will target the Grade 3, $150,000 Lake George, a one-mile inner turf test for sophomore fillies on July 13 at the Spa.

Owned by Madaket Stable, Michael Dubb and Robert V. LaPenta, the 3-year-old daughter of Charming Thought broke her maiden in March at Deauville before shipping to North America.

“It was a nice first time from out of the country for us. It seems like she’s ready for a stakes now,” Brown said.

***

G1 Belmont Oaks runner-up Con Lima targets second leg of Turf Triple series; Malathaat and Country Grammer on the work tab

Hall of Fame trainer Todd Pletcher saddled Con Lima and Sainthood for formidable efforts in Saturday’s opening legs of the Turf Triple series with the former a front-running second in the Grade 1 Belmont Oaks and the latter a close fifth in the Grade 1 Belmont Derby.

Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners, Joseph Graffeo, Eric Nikolaus Del Toro and Troy Johnson’s Con Lima, who entered the Belmont Oaks from a prominent win in the nine-furlong Grade 3 Wonder Again, set a smart pace under Flavien Prat in the 10-furlong test over good going. The Commissioner filly opened up a 1 1/2-length lead at the stretch call and fought bravely to the wire, falling just a half-length short of the rallying Santa Barbara.

Pletcher said Con Lima will likely progress to the 1 3/16-mile Grade 3, $700,000 Saratoga Oaks Invitational.

“She ran her heart out. It was a big effort from her,” said Pletcher. “She handled the distance fine and ran well enough to give her another shot.”

CHC and WinStar Farm’s Sainthood, a dark bay son of Mshawish, enjoyed a ground-saving trip under Joel Rosario in his turf debut in the Belmont Derby.

Sitting just off a moderate pace, Sainthood progressed along the inside down the lane, but failed to make up the needed ground en route to a fifth-place finish, just 2 1/4-lengths back of the victorious Bolshoi Ballet.

“He ran well. He had a good trip but just couldn't quite polish it off,” said Pletcher. “I thought he ran a respectable race.”

Pletcher said Sainthood, who graduated on the Fair Grounds dirt in February and won the Grade 3 Jeff Ruby Steaks on the Turfway synthetic in March, could turn back in the one-mile Grade 2, $200,000 National Museum of Racing Hall of Fame on August 6 at the Spa.

“He's versatile enough and proven he can run well on three different surfaces. It leaves us with a lot of different options,” said Pletcher. “We'll see how he bounces out of it, but something like the Hall of Fame might make sense.”

WinStar Farm’s Country Grammer, last-out winner of the Grade 1 Hollywood Gold Cup in May at Santa Anita, breezed a half-mile in 49.22 in company with Grade 3 Peter Pan-winner Promise Keeper on the dirt training track on Sunday.

Country Grammer is working towards a start in the nine-furlong Grade 1, $1 million Whitney on August 7 at the Spa, which offers a "Win and You're In" berth to the Breeders' Cup Classic.

“He's an honest workhorse but the more we're around him it seems he's really good at just clicking off those 12s,” said Pletcher. “We'll put a couple more good works into him and have him ready for the Whitney.”

Pletcher said Woodford Thoroughbreds, WinStar Farm and Rock Ridge Racing’s Promise Keeper, a sophomore son of Curlin, will target either the Grade 2, $600,000 Jim Dandy on July 31 at Saratoga or the Grade 3 West Virginia Derby on August 7 at Mountaineer.

Shadwell Stable's Malathaat worked a half-mile in 49.96 on the dirt training track in company with Dynamic One on Saturday in preparation for the Grade 1, $500,000 Coaching Club American Oaks, a nine-furlong test for sophomore fillies on July 24 at Saratoga

“She went great. I'm really pleased with the way she's doing,” said Pletcher. “She worked well with a big, strong gallop out. We'll probably have one breeze at Saratoga and she'll be ready to go.”

Undefeated in five starts, Malathaat won the Grade 1 Kentucky Oaks last out on April 30 on the heels of a head score in the Grade 1 Ashland on April 3 at Keeneland.

Out of the Grade 1-winning A.P. Indy mare Dreaming of Julia, Malathaat has worked consistently with Dynamic One, runner-up in the Grade 2 Wood Memorial presented by Resorts World Casino in April, who finished 18th last out in the Grade 1 Kentucky Derby on May 1 at Churchill Downs.

“They've been workmates coming off similar schedules from the Oaks and Derby. They make good mates. She doesn't have any trouble holding her own,” said Pletcher, who noted that Dynamic One is probable for the $120,000 Curlin on July 30 at Saratoga.

Pletcher said the connections had contemplated starting Malathaat against the boys in the 12-furlong Grade 1 Belmont Stakes in June, but that the filly has flourished with time between starts.

“We were strongly considering the Belmont, but my biggest concern was we had the two races back-to-back with the Ashland and the Oaks,” said Pletcher. “I was afraid a gut-wrenching mile and a half could set her back and it's paid off. She's gained some weight and trained very well. Hopefully, it sets her up for a good Saratoga. She's pretty special. We're blessed to have her. You don't come across many like her.”

Pletcher said if all goes well in the CCA Oaks, a start in the Grade 1, $600,000 Alabama on August 21 is likely.

Pletcher will saddle a pair of Shadwell Stable homebreds in Ajaaweed and Arham in a nine-furlong allowance event on the main track on Thursday, Opening Day of the summer meet at Saratoga Race Course.

Slated for Race 7 on the 10-race card, Ajaaweed will exit post 12 under Hall of Famer John Velazquez, while Arham will leave from post 4 under Luis Saez.

The multiple graded stakes placed Ajaaweed worked a bullet half-mile over the Belmont turf in June, but Pletcher said he preferred to re-group on the main track after the colt’s off-the-board effort last out in the Grade 2 Brooklyn.

“It didn't seem to me like he relished the turf even though the time seemed good,” said Pletcher. “He was kind of all-in I thought, so we'll give him another shot on the dirt and see how it goes. Dropping back into an allowance race should help him. I'm not crazy about the 12 post, but we'll do the best we can with it.”

Arham, a 4-year-old son of Union Rags, matched a career-best 91 Beyer last out with a runner-up effort in a 1 1/16-mile first-level allowance on June 19 at Belmont. He added blinkers for a bullet half-mile breeze in 48.62 on July 8 on the Belmont dirt training track.

“The horse is doing really well,” said Pletcher. “His last race was good and we're adding blinkers because he seemed a little unfocused. I thought he worked well with the blinkers and I expect him to take a step forward.”

***

Souper Sensational looks to G1 Longines Test after earning 95 BSF for G3 Victory Ride score

After acing a proverbial quiz with a 3 1/4-length win in Saturday’s Grade 3 Victory Ride at Belmont Park, Hall of Fame trainer Mark Casse said Souper Sensational could now be ready for a test – the Grade 1, $500,000 Longines Test on August 7 at Saratoga that is – after coming out of her effort yesterday in good order.

Live Oak Plantation’s Souper Sensational notched her first career graded stakes score when going five-wide in the upper stretch and surging home under jockey Flavien Prat to win the 6 1/2-furlong main track sprint for 3-year-old fillies. Her win over Ova Charged earned the Curlin filly a personal-best 95 Beyer Speed Figure as she improved her career record to 3-1-1 in seven starts.

Casse had Souper Sensational on the trail for the Grade 1 Kentucky Oaks earlier in her sophomore campaign, where she finished third in the 1 1/16-mile Grade 2 Fair Grounds Oaks in March over a fast track. In her last start, she ran fourth in the Grade 2 Eight Belles in April at Churchill Downs, also over a fast track. The Victory Ride was the first time Souper Sensational ran over a track rated good.

“She’s always shown a lot of talent,” said Casse. “We tried to get her to the Oaks and maybe in retrospect, she might just be a good sprinter type or going a mile. But the race set up for her yesterday and Flavien rode her well. She was impressive.”

In the Eight Belles, Hall of Famer John Velazquez was aboard for the seven-furlong sprint, and the veteran rider told Casse afterwards he was disappointed in the effort based on Souper Sensational’s ability.

“She trained really well into this race. [Assistant trainer] David Carroll, who had her for me at Louisville, thought she trained as well, if not better, than ever coming into the race, and he was right,” Casse said. “The last time she ran at Churchill, Johnny came back and was very frustrated. He said he was following a horse and a horse stopped in front of him and said we should have done a lot better than she did.

“So, we gave her a little break. She had been running hard,” Casse added. “I gave her just a little training beak. Sometimes you don’t have to go home to get a break. We just didn’t do anything with her for a little while. After the race at Churchill, our goal was the Test, and I figured, what’s the best way to get to that race?’ And yesterday was a great step.”

The Longines Test for sophomore fillies is held at seven furlongs. Casse said Souper Sensational was headed upstate to the Spa to begin training for that contest next month.

“She got a 95 Beyer, which is very good for a 3-year-old filly. If you consider the wide trip too, it was impressive,” Casse said reflecting on the Victory Ride. “She’s now headed to Saratoga this morning and we’ll look at the Test.”

John C. Oxley’s Palazzi had a troubled trip and finished sixth in Saturday’s Grade 1, $1 million Belmont Derby Invitational at 1 1/4 miles on the inner turf. After breaking from the inside post under Tyler Gaffalione in the nine-horse field, Palazzi could not find racing room until it was too late, finishing 3 1/4 lengths behind winner Bolshoi Ballet. It was the third time in six starts Palazzi drew the inside post in a stakes race.

“Poor Palazzi, he can’t catch a break,” Casse said. “He drew the one-hole again and there wasn’t anything Tyler did wrong, but there was nowhere to go and there was too much to do when he finally got loose. I guess we’ll go to the next big one in Saratoga.”

With the Belmont Derby Invitational serving as the first leg of the Turf Triple series, the “big one” at Saratoga will host the middle jewel of the series, with the Grade 1, $1 million Saratoga Derby Invitational at 1 3/16 miles set for Whitney Day on August 7.

Casse’s other entry in a Turf Triple race, Spanish Loveaffair, ran last-of-eight in the Grade 1, $700,000 Belmont Oaks Invitational for 3-year-old fillies going 1 1/4 miles on the inner turf. Casse didn’t pick up a next spot yet but said a shorter distance could suit the Karakontie filly better. Spanish Loveaffair is owned by Gary Barber, Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners and Michael Hernon.

“I just think we’re going to cut her back and go a mile,” Casse said. “She wants a race where there’s a little more pace. The problem is the further you run, the less pace there is. She was just too rambunctious early on yesterday.”

***

G1 Belmont Derby pacesetter Hard Love in need of stronger splits

Robert LaPenta, Augustin Stable and Madaket Stables’ Hard Love finished seventh after setting a moderate pace in Saturday’s Grade 1 Belmont Derby Invitational.

With Manny Franco up, Hard Love reached three-quarters in 1:17.26 before being swarmed by a number of rivals, finishing 4 1/2-lengths back of the victorious Bolshoi Ballet.

Thomas said going forward he would prefer the Kitten’s Joy ridgling to be more aggressive on the front end.

“I think it was a combination of the turf being a little bit soft - and it certainly wasn't Manny's fault - but I would rather have gone three-quarters in 1:13 and not 1:17,” said Thomas. “One thing we know about him is that he doesn't have a sub-23 turn of foot. It turned into a quarter-horse race from the quarter-pole to the wire. It becomes a question of if he's good enough. I just wish we had got some separation. Against top horses like that, you don't want to make it easy on them.

“I'd rather have been five in front turning for home and come get me,” Thomas added. “If he had that turn of foot, it's a great ride. Now we know he just needs to kick on.”

Thomas said Hard Love came out of the race in good order and will consider entering the Grade 1 Saratoga Derby, second leg of the Turf Triple series, slated for August 7. 

***

Godolphin fillies Althiqa and Summer Romance breeze for G1 Diana

Trainer Charlie Appleby sent out Althiqa and Summer Romance to a one-two finish in the Grade 1, $500,000 Longines Just a Game on June 5 going one mile on turf for fillies and mares.

On Sunday, the 4-year-old fillies breezed a half-mile in company in 52.55 over the Belmont inner turf rated good. Althiqa started out in front of her stablemate with Summer Romance making up ground through the stretch run, galloping out in front.

Appleby’s travelling assistant Sophie Chretien said Summer Romance benefits from having a target.

“She relaxes more from behind and it's better for her to develop,” said Chretien. “They're both doing very well. With the way the weather has been lately, I'm glad we were able to do the gallop today.”

Both fillies are preparing for a start in the nine-furlong Grade 1, $500,000 Diana on July 17 at Saratoga.

***

All graded stakes Cross Country Pick 5 registers total pool of $197K; pays $1,500

Saturday’s all graded stakes Cross Country Pick 5 featuring action from Belmont and Delaware Park paid $1,500.75 for selecting all five winners for the 50-cent wager. The total pool was $197,502.

Dalika started the sequence by besting Luck Money by one length in the Grade 3, $150,000 Robert G. Dick Memorial in Race 5, with fillies and mares 3-years-old and up competing at 1 3/8 miles on the turf. Trained by Al Stall, Jr. and ridden by Miguel Mena, Dalika completed the course in 2:16.35 and returned $10.60 on a $2 win wager.

Three consecutive stakes at Belmont comprised the heart of the wager, starting with Santa Barbara’s rally for a half-length win in the Grade 1 Belmont Oaks Invitational in Race 7. The Irish-bred shipper for trainer Aidan O’Brien rallied from seventh at the top of the stretch under internationally renowned jockey Ryan Moore, winning the 1 1/4-mile inner turf contest for sophomore fillies that was the first leg of the Turf Triple series. Santa Barbara, who notched a 2:03.76 final time, paid $4.30 as the even-money favorite in Race 7.

Prat, aboard the runner-up Con Lima in the Belmont Oaks Invitational, earned a trip to the winner’s circle in the next race piloting Souper Sensational to a 3 1/4-length victory in the Grade 3 Victory Ride for 3-year-old fillies sprinting 6 1/2 furlongs on the main track in Race 8. Trained by Casse, Souper Sensational returned $13.80, posting a final time of 1:15.79 to top Ova Charged.

Belmont’s other Turf Triple opener – the Grade 1 Belmont Derby Invitational for 3-year-olds also going 1 1/4 miles on the inner turf, saw O’Brien and Moore team up again to win aboard a talented Irish-bred shipper, as Bolshoi Ballet rewarded his even-money favoritism with a 1 1/4-length score, paying $4.10. Bolshoi Ballet topped the French-bred Tokyo Gold, hitting the wire in 2:04.42.

Delaware Park bookended the action when Miss Marissa bested a six-horse field of fillies and mares 3-years-old and up to win the Grade 2, $400,000 Delaware Handicap by 1 1/4 lengths in Race 9. Miss Marissa, conditioned by James Ryerson and ridden by Daniel Centeno, notched a final time of 2:04.50, paying $11.40.

The minimum bet for the multi-track, multi-race wager is 50 cents. Wagering on the Cross Country Pick 5 is also available on track, on ADW platforms, and at simulcast facilities across the country. Every week will feature a mandatory payout of the net pool.

The Cross Country Pick 5 will continue each Saturday throughout the year. For more information, visit NYRABets.com.

***

Stars and Stripes Day generates $21.5 million in all sources handle

Saturday's 11-race Stars and Stripes Day card, highlighted by an Irish-bred sweep of the Grade 1, $700,000 Belmont Oaks and Grade 1, $1 million Belmont Derby, generated all-sources handle of $21,535,076.

One of three graded stakes on the Stars and Stripes program, the Belmont Oaks kicked off the 2021 Turf Triple series on the female side, with the Saratoga Oaks and Jockey Club Oaks on the calendar for August 8 and September 18, respectively. Saturday’s 43rd edition of the Belmont Oaks saw the Aiden O’Brien-trainee Santa Barbara storm to the lead late to best her five competitors.

In the Belmont Derby, an Irish-bred again rose to the occasion when Bolshoi Ballet stormed to an impressive victory for trainer Aidan O’Brien and a Coolmore ownership group including Michael Tabor, Mrs. John Magnier, Derrick Smith and Westerberg.

Following the Belmont Derby, the Turf Triple for males will shift to Saratoga for the Grade 1, $1 million Saratoga Derby Invitational on August 7. The final leg of the Turf Triple for males is the $1 million Jockey Club Derby on September 18 at Belmont Park.

In addition to the Belmont Derby and Belmont Oaks, Saturday's card included the Grade 3, $150,000 Victory Ride, which was captured by Live Oak Plantation’s Souper Sensational 

Saturday's on-track handle was $1,923,650 and paid attendance was 3,574. 


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