The top three finishers from the Saratoga Derby (G1) in August square off again Saturday in the $500,000 Jockey Club Derby (G3) on the Belmont at the Big A card.
That trio are the ones to beat in the 1 3/8 miles turf contest for 3-year-olds. They have the experience and the class edge over their four challengers.
The race concludes the New York Racing Association’s trio of stakes for sophomore grass runners. Trikari took the Belmont Derby (G1) while Carson’s Run prevailed in the Saratoga Derby.
Carson’s Run. NYRA/Coglianese Photo.
Carson’s Run Seeking a Saratoga Derby-Jockey Club Derby Double
Carson’s Run (5-2 on the morning-line) won by less than a length over Legend of Time with Deterministic getting the show spot. And here they are again!
The Saratoga Derby was the second Grade 1 victory for Carson’s Run to complement his win in the Summer Stakes at Woodbine last year.
The Summer Stakes was his springboard into the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf (G1) where he was never a factor, finishing ninth.
The chestnut colt trained by Christophe Clement returned this season in fine form. He has banked just under $1 million in 2024. He followed the Saratoga Derby victory with a rallying second in the Nashville Derby (G3) at Kentucky Downs.
Dylan Davis returns to the saddle. He was aboard for the Saratoga Derby while Joel Rosario rode last time in Kentucky.
“Carson’s Run is training well,” Clement said. “Last time he got beat, but he was a very good second. Dylan knows him well.”
Clement has a second ace in the hole here with Deterministic (9-2), the winner most recently of the Virginia Derby (G3) at Colonial Downs at 1 1-8 miles. Rosario has the mount here.
“He ran a great race in the Virginia Derby,” Clement said. “I think he should stay the distance. There’s no reason he shouldn’t.”
Deterministic won the Gotham Stakes (G3) on the main track at Aqueduct in March to put him in consideration for the Triple Crown. After running poorly in the Wood Memorial (G2) and the Peter Pan (G3), Deterministic shifted to the turf with dramatically better results.
Legend of Time (the 2-1 favorite), trained by Charlie Appleby, makes his fifth U.S. start and owns a win over the course in the Pennine Ridge (G2) in May.
There also are two BC “Win and You’re In” races on the card: the Champagne Stakes (G1) and the Frizette Stakes (G1).
For those who bet horse racing …
The picks: 1 Carson’s Run 2 Deterministic 3 Legend of Time
The field for the $500,000 Jockey Club Derby (G3), from the rail out, with jockey, trainer, odds:
1 Desvio (Ben Curtis, Madison Meyers), 15-1
2 Dashman (Manny Franco, Brian Lynch), 8-1
3 Carson’s Run (Dylan Davis, Christophe Clement), 5-2
4 Yo Daddy (Jose Lezcano, Linda Rice) 12-1
5 Deterministic (Joel Rosario, Christophe Clement), 9-2
6 El Rezeen (Irad Ortiz Jr., Todd Pletcher), 7-2
7 Legend of Time (Flavien Prat, Charlie Appleby), 2-1