Heroes of the GI Belmont Derby Bolshoi Ballet (Ireland) (Galileo {Ire}) looks to secure NYRA Turf Trinity’s second leg on Saturday in the GI Saratoga Derby Invitational S. Capturing G3 Ballysax S. in April, intern Aidan O’Brien followed suit with a dominant score in the G3 Derrinstown Stud Derby Trial a month later. Well beaten as a favorite in the G1 Cazoo Derby on June 5, the Coolmore rider rallied to a fine score at Belmont on July 10 under Ryan Moore, who returns to the United States for this event.

“It’s a good opportunity for him,” said TJ Comerford, O’Brien’s traveling assistant. “He’s fine and has come back here in good order.” Aidan and the team are very happy with him at the moment. If he runs in his last race, he should be there again. “

Charlie Appleby in the saddle another worth a look in Godolphin’s Secret protector (War front). KEESEP’s $ 800,000 purchase won a Meydan grant in February and was a finalist in both Feilden S. on April 13 and Newmarket S. on May 1. The bay enters through a third into G3 Hampton Court S. on June 17 at Royal Ascot.

Another serious European competitor is Cadillac (Ireland) (Lope de Vega {Ire}). Victorious in the G2 KPMG Champions Juvenile S. in September, the bay finished fifth in the G1 Dewhurst S. in October and finished fourth in the GI Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf S. on November 6. It kicks off a victory in the G3 ARM Holding International S. June 26.

The American contingent is led by Natalie Baffert and Debbie Lanni Of the day (City of the Temple). The $ 280,000 purchase of OBSAPR won three turf races for Bob Baffert, including the GII American Turf S., and was transferred to Bill Mott for the Belmont Derby, where he finished fourth, after his former coach was temporarily barred from entering NYRA. Baffert won an injunction to resume racing at NYRA, but the colt remains in Mott’s care for this event.

Also worth mentioning is the GIII Stonestreet Lexington S. victor King Fury (Curlin), who tries turf for the first time here after finishing second in the GIII Ohio Derby on June 26. The huge chestnut was originally scheduled to compete in last weekend’s GII Jim Dandy S. but was forced to miss it. event while the barn of his trainer Ken McPeek was in quarantine. Without a lot of options to set up the GI Runhappy Travers S., King Fury resurfaces in this test.

“We are really using this race as a preparation for the Travers, which Catholic Boy (More Than Ready) did. So it will be interesting, ”said McPeek. “I think he’s going to handle the grass very well. He’s an adorable horse. So I hope this is a big step for him.