Hall of Famer John Velazquez is a masterful position rider, and at age 55 he hasn't lost his touch for maneuvering horses into the right spots. His knack calls to mind a line from the 1972 Carly Simon hit “You're So Vain”: “You're where you should be all the time.”
Johnny V. demonstrated that skill July 4 on the Saratoga turf in the 1 1/8-mile Belmont Derby (G1), where he sat second off a slow pace with 7-1 shot Title Role. His England-based colt took a narrow lead at the eighth pole and held on by a nose in a three-horse photo.
Was Title Role the best horse in the race? Maybe not, but he got the best trip, which was what mattered most. On Saturday he and Velazquez will face nine rivals, including four they just defeated, in the 1 3/16-mile, $750,000 Saratoga Derby (G1).
“We always thought racing in America would suit Title Role very well because of how well he races around the turns, as opposed to the longer straights in Europe,” owner Will Stroud said.
The first seven in the Belmont Derby were separated by only 1 1/2 lengths, and with a better trip any of the six easily could have won. Among them were 3-2 favorite Remember Mamba (third by a neck) and 3-1 Pacific Avenue (seventh after a slow start, traffic trouble on the far turn, wide into the final furlong, which he surged through in less than 11 seconds).
There's no confirmed frontrunner in the Saratoga Derby, so perhaps Velazquez will put Title Role on the lead. Or maybe this time he'll stalk new shooter McCready, who won a 1 3/16-mile grass allowance at Keeneland by setting slow fractions throughout. Hard to say.
Post time is 5:36 p.m. ET for Saratoga's 11th race, which precedes the $1 million Whitney Stakes (G1).
For those who like to bet on racing, here's a horse-by-horse analysis with trainer, jockeyand morning-line odds in parentheses.
Only 1-for-4 on turf, never been past 1 1/16 miles. Also, cross-entered in Friday's Hall of Fame Stakes (G2), so he may not run.
Went last to first for 15-1 upset in Saratoga's ungraded Saranac Lake, beating third-place Glavine by three-quarters of a length. That was only his first win in seven grass attempts, but he was second twice at the Spa.
Missed by only a neck despite unfavorable trip. He's the morning-line favorite again, and 3-for-5 turf record makes him a major threat.
Chances are he won't get another perfect trip, so are you willing to take moderate odds if you didn't have him last time at 7-1? Tactical speed puts him in the mix.
Was bet down to 3-1 in the Belmont Derby off his English form, but racing luck wasn't with him. Switches to the brilliant Irad and gets first-time blinkers, two positives. Problems: Lost four in a row, winless beyond a mile, and 5-1 odds are no bargain.
English shipper never went off at less than 11-1 in five grass starts. Distance should suit because he ran a close third twice going 1 1/4 miles. Not out of it.
Makes turf debut after starting his career 2-for-2 on synthetic. Hasn't run since November, and Clement expressed concern about the long layoff. Feels like a practice run for future stakes.
Only horse in the field who has won going 1 3/16 miles and ran third to Remember Mamba in January. He's 2-for-4 on grass, with trouble lines in both third-place finishes. Has enough speed to work out a favorable trip.
Strong closer was close fifth in the Belmont Derby despite traffic trouble, and an in-the-money finish would be no surprise. Also entered in Friday's Hall of Fame Stakes.
Serious contender with sufficient early speed to avoid wide trip from far outside post. Missed by a nose in Belmont Derby, ending a three-race winning streak.
Ed McNamara is an award-winning racing writer who has covered the sport since 1981 for The Bergen (N.J.) Record, Newsday, ESPN, Thorocap, and USRacing. He is the author of Cajun Racing: From the Bush Tracks to the Triple Crown and Racing Around the World, and a contributor to The Most Glorious Crown and The Racetracks of America. He has also written for racing publications in France and Italy.
