Godolphin homebreds Nations Pride and With The Moonlight both finished second in their North American debuts in the first legs of the Caesars Turf Triple series on July 9 at Belmont Park. The talented sophomores have since shipped upstate to target the Grade 1, $1 million Caesars Saratoga Derby Invitational on August 6 and the Grade 3, $700,000 Saratoga Oaks on August 7, respectively, at Saratoga Race Course.
The Charlie Appleby-trainees arrived in Saratoga on Tuesday to the care of Appleby's traveling assistant Chris Connett.
“They had a hack around the main track this morning, and they seem to have come out of their races really well,” Connett said. “We're happy with them. They'll be targeting the Saratoga Derby and the Oaks.”
Both the Saratoga Oaks and Saratoga Derby are contested at 1 3/16-miles.
Nations Pride and With The Moonlight, both piloted by Frankie Dettori, had markedly different trips in their respective first outings in North America, traveling 10 furlongs over the Belmont inner turf.
Nations Pride, a colt by Teofilo, was away slowly from post 10 in the Grade 1, $1 million Casears Belmont Derby Invitational, closing from ninth to finish just three-quarters of a length back of the pacesetting winner Classic Causeway.
With The Moonlight, a filly by Frankel, enjoyed a prominent trip from post 4 in the Grade 1, $700,000 Belmont Oaks Invitational, opening up a half-length lead at the stretch call only to be collared late by McKulick, who won by 1 3/4-lengths.
“Unfortunately, Nations Pride missed the break a little bit and had some trouble in running as well, but he ran a massive race,” Connett said. “The filly got on the front end and went fairly strong fractions early doors. She ran really hard to stick it out and unfortunately just got caught late on. She's a really nice filly.”
Nations Pride entered his North American debut from an eighth in the 12-furlong Group 1 Epsom Derby on June 4, five weeks after a seven-length romp over subsequent Derby runner-up Hoo Ya Mal in the Newmarket Stakes. The homebred had a four-race win streak snapped at Epsom, with his three previous wins all coming on flat courses, including a 3 1/4-length score in the 10-furlong Jumeirah Derby at Meydan in Dubai.
With The Moonlight, who won the Pretty Polly in May at Newmarket, entered her Belmont start from an off-the-board effort in the Group 1 Oaks at Epsom on June 3. She is a full-sister to Group 1 winner Dream Castle.
The Caesars Turf Triple series concludes at the Belmont fall meet with the Grade 3, $1 million Caesars Jockey Club Derby Invitational at 12 furlongs and the 11-furlong Grade 3, $700,000 Jockey Club Oaks.
Connett will saddle Godolphin homebred Creative Flair in Saturday's Grade 1, $500,000 Diana and could return later this summer to prepare Yibir, the reigning Champion Turf Male, for a start in the 12-furlong Grade 1 Resorts World Casino Sword Dancer on August 27. The Sword Dancer offers a “Win and You're In” berth to the Grade 1 Breeders' Cup Turf in November at Keeneland.
Yibir won the Jockey Club Derby Invitational in September at Belmont ahead of capturing the Grade 1 Breeders' Cup Turf in November at Del Mar. He returned to Belmont in May to finish third in the Grade 1 Man o' War ahead of a score in the Group 1 Princess of Wales's on July 7 at Newmarket.
The post Appleby Keeping Nations Pride, With The Moonlight In New York For Second Legs Of Turf Triple Series appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.
