Tom Pedulla gives takeaways from a pair of Grade 1 contests Saturday at Belmont on the Massive A, the $727,500 Belmont Derby Invitational and the $500,000 Fasig-Tipton Belmont Oaks Invitational Stakes, and different main developments this weekend.
GOING THE DISTANCE: Coach Graham Movement thought Trikari may get the space within the 1 3/16-mile Belmont Derby. Now, he’s certain of it after the 3-year-old colt by Oscar Efficiency, out of the Harlan’s Vacation mare Home Vacation, outdueled White Palomino by a head beneath jockey John Velazquez for his first Grade 1 win. “Bodily, he’s such an enormous, robust, handsome horse,” Movement famous. “I educated the mare and I didn’t suppose the space was going to be a problem, however you by no means know.” Movement will severely think about the $600,000 Saratoga Derby Invitational Stakes Aug. 3 for Trikari’s subsequent begin.
FEELING AT HOME: Cinderella’s Dream made her first begin in North America a profitable one when she captured the Belmont Oaks with William Buick aboard. She set a course file for the 1 3/16-mile contest with a clocking of 1:53.42. “We have been all the time assured she was the precise filly coming into the race,” coach Charlie Appleby mentioned. “She’s realized lots and had a very good expertise. It was her first begin in America and she will be able to solely progress.” Appleby indicated the Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Oaks Invitational Stakes on Aug. 2 will in all probability be subsequent.
SHORT REST: Coach Chad Brown doesn’t sometimes run his horses with solely three weeks between begins. He did that with Home Product within the one-mile Grade 3 Dwyer Stakes Saturday at Belmont on the Massive A and was rewarded with a 7 ½-length romp. Home Product had completed second to Tuscan Sky within the June 15 NYRA Bets Pegasus Stakes at 1 1/16 miles at New Jersey’s Monmouth Park. “I felt in management the entire race,” jockey Flavien Prat mentioned of the Dwyer, including, “After I known as on him, he responded very properly. I do suppose he’s higher with the cutback in distance.”
ON A ROLL: When Juddmonte homebred Dragoon Guard debuted with a second-place effort in a maiden particular weight contest Sept. 22 at Churchill Downs, coach Brad Cox determined to not press on with the son of the late Arrogate and to provide him time to develop bodily and mentally. That certain was the precise name. Dragoon Guard made it 3-for-3 as a sophomore when he succeeded in his first graded-stakes try, taking the Grade 3, $300,000 Indiana Derby Saturday at Horseshoe Indianapolis. The 1 1/16-mile check additionally marked his first race round two turns. The Aug. 24 Travers Stakes or the Sept. 21 Pennsylvania Derby could possibly be subsequent for this rising colt.
WHITNEY POSSIBLE: The $1 million Whitney Stakes on Aug. 3 at Saratoga could possibly be the subsequent begin for Hill ‘n’ Dale Metropolitan Handicap runner-up Publish Time. “We’re going to see who exhibits up and who’s coming,” coach Brittany Russell mentioned, “however he deserves his likelihood of sort of preserve stepping alongside.” The Whitney is a 1 1/8-mile race. Publish Time has by no means completed worse than third in 11 profession begins whereas banking $817,910. However he has by no means been requested to transcend a mile. Convincing Met Mile winner Nationwide Treasure additionally is taken into account a chance for the celebrated Whitney.
