Belmont Oaks Invitational Stakes (Grade 1)

Belmont Derby Invitational (Grade 1)

CHARLIE Appleby and William Buick combined for more success in the US last weekend when Cinderella’s Dream got back to winning ways in the Grade 1 Belmont Oaks Invitational Stakes.

Their runner Legend Of Time was also sent off favourite in the Belmont Derby but the colt could only manage third after a less than favourable trip.

Cinderella’s Dream had last been seen finishing seventh in the 1000 Guineas, which brought to an end a four-race unbeaten start to her career which had included the Listed Jumeirah 1000 Guineas at Meydan in March.

Cinderella’s Dream produced a good finish from the back of the pack to catch front-runners Segesta and favourite She Feels Pretty and win by three-quarters of a length. She raced the miles, two and a half furlongs on firm turf in 1m 53.42, establishing a course record over the unusual distance.

Buick told reporters afterwards: “From the quarter pole, I always felt I was going to get there. She showed when she ran in Dubai in the winter that she has a real good kick, but I was a little bit impressed with her. My filly had to pick up well to pick those two fillies off.”

Always the plan

Appleby added on the daughter of Shamardal: “It was always our plan to drop Cinderella’s Dream in and ride a race on her. She has shown at home that she can jump and latch on a bit, so we were keen that she did everything the right way round on her first start here.”

Appleby added: “The pace was sensible, but it held up, and I was confident off the turn that she would pick up if she got the splits. It was a great ride by William and I’m pleased she’s got the job done.”

Musidora winner Secret Satire was fifth under Dettori behind Cinderella’s Dream, who further boosted the form of the 1000 Guineas.

Appleby said the ground in the 1000 Guineas may not have suited Cinderella’s Dream would be pointed to the August 2nd Saratoga Oaks Invitational Stakes.

Belmont Derby

Not finding a clear run in a five-runner race might be poor judgement but it’s hard to know if Buick and Appleby would still have won the Belmont Derby Invitational with Legend Of Time, who could manage only third when sent off 6/4 favourite.

The son of Sea The Stars could not back up his Grade 2 Pennine Ridge Stakes victory at the track, with the Graham Motion-trained Trikari beating Godolphin’s market leader by a length and a quarter into third.

Sent off at 5/1 odds, Trikari and jockey John Velazquez fended off a determined rally from White Palomino to win by a head after an exciting late duel.

The winner had won the Grade 2 American Turf Stakes at Churchill Downs in May when Legend Of Time was only fifth.

White Palomino made the running to six furlongs in 50.24secs with Legend Of Time on the rail behind him but when two of the runners moved up to challenge on the bend, Buick and the Godolphin runner were trapped in a pocket.

Turning for home, jockey John Velazquez launched his move on Trikari and edged away to a short lead at the eighth pole.

Even when switched out, Legend Of Time didn’t make ground rapidly to indicate he may have won with a clear run.

“We’ll just draw a line through it and go again in the Saratoga Derby. They crawled around there and we could never get out,” Appleby said.

Trainer Graham Motion said of his winner: “The only time he did anything wrong was the first start at Keeneland. He ran so greenly that day. He was just a big baby. He’s a lovely horse.”

“We’ll strongly look at it,” Motion added of the likely next target in the August 3rd Saratoga Derby Invitational Stakes.

The son of Oscar Performance, who cost owners Amerman Racing $27,500 at the Ocala Breeders’ Yearling sale in October 2022 and has now earned $996,630.

The Amermans owned two of the five starters in the Belmont Derby as they also sent out Endlessly, who trailed throughout and finished last of the five runners.

IT wouldn’t be the first time a Juddmonte-owned three-year-old colt came late to the party and made a big impression. Dragoon Guard introduced himself as a top contender in the three-year-old division with a powerful front-running performance in the $300,000 Grade 3 Indiana Derby at Horseshoe Indianapolis. And yes, he is a son of Arrogate, famed for just that.

Assuming command as the field of seven entered the first turn, the homebred grey posted decent fractions while pressured by Informed Patriot. With Grade 1 Santa Anita Derby winner Stronghold in pursuit in third, the stage was set for a duel down the stretch but Dragoon Guard found more for jockey Florent Geroux and opened away. Stronghold finished two and a half lengths behind his rival, with Informed Patriot third.

Dragoon Guard has now won his last three races and Brad Cox said to reporters afterwards: “If he continues to make progress, he could be right there with the top three-year-olds. This was just the next step in his progression and I’m happy with what he was able to do today.”

Saratoga or the Grade 1 Pennsylvania Derby at Parx Racing in September are next options. With this year’s Triple Crown races won by three different colts, Dragoon Guard may well figure in the end of season contests.

ITS difficult to know how much of their best form a horse will produce at seven but the Grade 1 winner and top mare War Like Goddess looked to be in decent nick in winning the $250,000 Grade 3 Robert G. Dick Memorial at Delaware.

Under jockey Junior Alvarado, she spent most of the race near the back, as she has done often in her career, waiting to display her late-race turn of foot. She won the mile and three contest by a length.

Trainer Bill Mott hopes the daughter of the late English Channel will still be competitive come the Breeders’ Cup.