Whereas Belmont Park’s reconstruction continues, the profitable Grade 1 Belmont Derby Invitational Stakes will probably be held away from Lengthy Island for the second consecutive yr as a bunch of top-class turf 3-year-olds will race at historic Saratoga Race Course.
This race’s historical past goes all the way in which again to 1929 and it was referred to as the Jamaica Handicap. In 2014 it was renamed the Belmont Derby Invitational, and its purse was raised. The race is generally held at 1 ¼ miles however because it’s at Saratoga this yr the race will probably be one furlong shorter at 1 1/8 miles on the Spa’s outer Mellon turf course.
1. Tank (12-1 morning line odds): Enters off of three consecutive stakes wins, all on turf at Florida tracks. May very well be the pacesetter, and whereas it’s powerful to see him successful, he might cling round for a minor award if the early fractions are modest.
JOCKEY: Luis Saez; TRAINER: Carlos David
2. Early Adopter (12-1): Received an allowance race at Keeneland with a closing surge two begins again however then completed a non-threatening fifth not too long ago within the Audubon Stakes on turf at Churchill Downs. Will probably be coming from off of the tempo and his connections should be revered.
JOCKEY: Jose Ortiz; TRAINER: Chad Brown
3. Luther (6-1): Makes first North American begin after some restricted success in Europe, the place he competed in French traditional races in his two current races. He completed a strong fourth within the French Two Thousand Guineas however then was 15th of 18 within the French Derby. Seems to favor a firmer turf course and may get it Saturday.
JOCKEY: Kieran Shoemark; TRAINER: Charlie Fellowes
4. New Century (3-1): Winless in three begins since taking final fall’s Grade 1 bet365 Summer season Stakes at Woodbine however enters off of a rallying third within the Grade 1 American Turf Stakes Introduced by Ford and could possibly be primed for a career-best effort right here. One other European-bred who relishes agency turf.
JOCKEY: TBD; TRAINER: Brendan Walsh
5. Take a look at Rating (4-1): Completed second within the American Turf Stakes final out when he edged New Century by a nostril and impressively received the Grade 3 Transylvania Stakes Introduced by Keeneland Choose earlier than that. Has been in good kind since final fall and charges a win likelihood if he can work out a very good journey.
JOCKEY: Manny Franco; TRAINER: Graham Movement
6. Ultimate Gambit (5-2): Makes his return begin on turf after debuting on this floor final fall after which thriving on all-weather tracks and holding his personal on dust. Received the Grade 3 Jeff Ruby Steaks with a late cost and likewise gained floor late to nab fourth within the Kentucky Derby Introduced by Woodford Reserve. He’s bred to run all day however is a one-dimensional nearer and won’t get the best tempo setup right here.
JOCKEY: Flavien Prat; TRAINER: Brad Cox
7. World Beater (10-1): Coud be neglected within the pari-mutuel swimming pools because of the presence of a number of different contenders with graded stakes expertise. He’s transferring up at school after two sharp wins on the Churchill Downs turf course, together with a rallying neck victory within the $273,000 Audubon Stakes. His pace figures preserve ascending and one other enhance might make him an upset winner.
JOCKEY: Jaime Torres; TRAINER: Riley Mott
8. Flying Mohawk (6-1): Each of his profession wins have come on turf and he’s again for extra after ending second behind Ultimate Gambit within the Jeff Ruby Steaks on an all-weather monitor after which 18th of 19th within the Kentucky Derby on a sloppy dust monitor. Anticipate a a lot better effort right here as he provides blinkers and will get Frankie Dettori again within the saddle for the primary time since final September.
JOCKEY: Frankie Dettori; TRAINER: Whit Beckman
THE PICK: New Century
LIVE LONGSHOT: World Beater
SUPERFECTA: 4-7-5-8
