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Teofilo’s Nations Pride Gets the Trip to Capture Saratoga Derby

Nations Pride (Ire) (Teofilo {Ire}), the beaten favorite with a wide trip four weeks ago in the GI Caesars Belmont Derby Invitational S., worked out a much cozier voyage Saturday under William Buick to annex the GI Saratoga Derby Invitational S.

Graduating by 4 3/4 lengths at second asking over the Lingfield all-weather last October, the Godolphin homebred reeled off three more open-lengths tallies culminating with a seven-length rout in the Newmarket S. Apr. 29. Disappointing some when finishing a distant eighth in the G1 Cazoo Derby June 4 at Epsom, he finished full of run before coming up three-quarters of a length short in second to 26-1 upsetter Classic Causeway (Giant's Causeway) in the July 9 Belmont Derby.

Breaking a beat slowly as the narrow favorite once again Saturday, Nations Pride was smartly sent through a narrow early opening by Buick to gain position as Classic Causeway went clear going past the stands the first time and found a perfect spot by the time the field bent into the first turn, stalking from the pocket in third. Tipping off the rail around the quarter pole, the blaze-faced bay charged past Classic Causeway inside the furlong marker and finished up smartly to win comfortably by 1 3/4 lengths in the end. Second choice Annapolis (War Front) edged out Classic Causeway for second on the wire.

“I came in yesterday and saw them train this morning [Nations Pride and filly With The Moonlight, who starts in Sunday's G3 Saratoga Oaks] and as a physical, I think they've done very well. The style of training [both recorded four breezes in an 11-day span], they've adapted to it,” said winning trainer Charlie Appleby. “On the back of Belmont, they were a touch unlucky. He was a bit slow from the gate there and had that wider trip around. It was a little bit messy, but that was by the by. We came in today confident that if we could just get him to break a bit quicker and William could get him up in behind the pace that we felt he was the right horse in the race and could go on and get the job done. It was a great ride by William.”

“He was drawn 10 at Belmont and he jumped a step slow, which he did today as well,” added Buick. “From the four gate, I managed to go to the inside and get him into a good spot and he did the rest from then on really. I expected them to go faster, but I also had in the back of my head that the horse that made the run in the Belmont race [Classic Causeway] would want to be doing the same again today. Once I saw that I knew Julien [Leparoux, aboard Classic Causeway] wasn't going to go too fas, I was happy where I was. I knew there were a couple closers in the race, but I knew my horse would stay well and the way that rain took the speed out of the track a little bit, so I was confident that my horse would stay well and hit the line well.”

Nations Pride was the first mount at Saratoga for Buick, who appreciated the occasion and the company kept in the track's star-studded jockeys' room.

“I'm very privileged to be able to come over here and ride these horses,” the 34-year-old said. “I've been riding a lot in the States on and off the last few years and I love it. The jockey colony over here is something really special. To be in that jocks' room today with all the superstars was fantastic and great to be part of it. I've never been to Saratoga before. This is my first ride. I've watched plenty of races here and last year we couldn't travel here, so when Charlie asked me to come and ride these horses, it was great to get that call.”

Pedigree Notes:

With the victory, Nations Pride is now the 59th graded/group stakes winner and 23rd Grade I/Group 1, as well as the first Stateside top-level scorer for the 18-year-old Kildangan Stud stalwart. His second dam Satwa Queen (Fr) was a five-time group winner in France and half-sister to G1SW Spadoun (Fr) (Kaldoun {Fr}) whose crowning achievement was a victory in the 2007 G1 Prix de l'Opera. Important Time, a minor stakes winner in Germany in 2015, has a yearling filly by Dark Angel (Ire) and produced a full-sister to the winner Mar. 8.

Saturday, Saratoga
CAESARS SARATOGA DERBY INVITATIONAL S.-GI, $1,000,000, Saratoga, 8-6, 3yo, 1 3/16mT, :00.00, fm.
1–NATIONS PRIDE (IRE), 122, c, 3, by Teofilo (Ire)
                1st Dam: Important Time (Ire) (SW-Ger), by Oasis Dream (GB)
                2nd Dam: Satwa Queen (Fr), by Muhtathir (GB)
                3rd Dam: Tolga, by Irish River (Fr)
1ST GRADED STAKES WIN, 1ST GRADE I WIN. O-Godolphin, LLC; B-Godolphin (Ire); T-Charles Appleby; J-William T. Buick. $535,000. Lifetime Record: 8-5-2-0, $899,216. Werk Nick Rating: A+++. *Triple Plus*. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–Annapolis, 122, c, 3, War Front–My Miss Sophia, by Unbridled's Song. 1ST G1 BLACK TYPE. O-Bass Racing, LLC; B-Bass Stables, LLC (KY); T-Todd A. Pletcher. $185,000.
3–Classic Causeway, 122, c, 3, Giant's Causeway–Private World, by Thunder Gulch. O/B-Kentucky West Racing LLC & Clarke M. Cooper Family Living Trust (KY); T-Kenneth G. McPeek. $100,000.
Margins: 1 3/4, HD, 1. Odds: 2.10, 2.90, 5.90.
Also Ran: Sy Dog, Stone Age (Ire), Royal Patronage (Fr), Main Event, Grand Sonata, Ethereal Road, Emmanuel. Scratched: Stolen Base.
Click for the Equibase.com chart, the TJCIS.com PPs or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. VIDEO, sponsored by TVG.

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Joseph O’Brien Shipper State Of Rest Finds Running Room Just In Time To Take Grade 1 Saratoga Derby

There was no rest for European shipper State of Rest (IRE) in the Grade 1 Saratoga Derby Invitational on Aug. 7 as the Joseph O'Brien trainee emerged from a crowd of closers just in time for the wire. The race is the second leg of NYRA's Turf Triple, which started with the Grade 1 Belmont Derby Invitational, won by Bolsohi Ballet.

John Velazquez piloted the 3-year-old colt, tucking in sixth mid-pack behind a blistering early quarter led by Cellist. As the field bunched up going into the final turn, State of Rest was caught up and shuffled down to the rail, where he was boxed in well into the final stretch. Velazquez saw space to swing out into the three path and once the colt got running room, he confidently powered past his rivals to win by a length.

Soldier Rising was second, followed by Du Jour. The final time for the 1 3/16 miles on the Mellon turf course was 1:53.35, with fractions of 1:35.92, 1:11.88, :47.54 and :21.96. See the full chart here.

State of Rest went off at odds of 21-1 and paid $44.20 to win on a $2 bet.

State of Rest comes to this race off a third-place finish in the Dubai Duty Free at The Curragh in June, and was also third in the Group 2 Champagne Stakes at Doncaster last fall. He is owned by Teme Valley and was bred in Ireland by Tinnakill Bloodstock. State of Rest is the son of Starspangledbanner (AUS) and Quiet American mare Repose. He was a $80,543 purchase at the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale, where he was consigned by Whatton Manor Stud and purchased by Joseph and Aidan O'Brien. Previously, he was a $60,423 purchase at the Tattersalls December Foal Sale, where he was consigned by his breeder and bought by Diamond Bloodstock.

G1 Saratoga Derby Invitational Quotes, courtesy NYRA Press Office

Joseph O'Brien, winning trainer of State of Rest (No. 9, $44.20): “I thought Johnny [Velazquez] gave him a fantastic ride. The pace was pretty strong and he got him comfortable and came home strong. We knew he would like the firm turf and getting more distance today.

“He was unlucky not to win his last race. He ran really well and we knew that getting more distance today would suit him well. We'll get him home and talk to the owners and see how he is and see where we go next.

“He ran well the last time and we were figuring out where we could go with him. We figured this was a lovely spot and that the conditions would suit him well. We weren't sure how he would handle this level and he had never been around these turns before, but he handled everything really well.”

John Velazquez, winning jockey aboard State of Rest (No. 9): “The horse is actually a very, very nice horse and he was not really paying attention out in the post parade so I was a little bit worried that his mind wasn't on the business and that's what he did. He didn't break very well. I didn't panic. I just saved all the ground, looking for somewhere to go down the stretch and when I got him out, he responded really good.”

Christophe Clement, trainer of runner-up Soldier Rising (No. 1): “He ran very well, I am very happy. We finished second last year with Gufo and second this year. We'll have to find another one for next year.”

Irad Ortiz, Jr., jockey aboard runner-up Soldier Rising (No. 1): “He missed the break a little, but it was his first time running in this country so I didn't panic. I just let him settle and be where he was happy. I tried to have a good trip after that and that's what I got, a really good trip. When I asked him, he was there for me.

“Christophe always told me that he thought he was more of a mile-and-a-half horse but the race was there and the horse was ready to run so I guess they have to run him. He's a nice horse. Really nice. I had a lot of power under me. He was running home but the winner was the best horse.”

Joel Rosario, jockey aboard third-place Du Jour (No. 2): “It was a very nice run. He responded very well. Turning for home he was a little tired and hesitated for a little bit. He ran really well today.”

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State of Rest Rolls Home In Saratoga Derby

Sent off the fourth-longest shot on the board for Saturday's GI Saratoga Derby Invitational S., State of Rest (Ire) (Starspangledbanner {Aus}) took over a furlong from home and sped clear to cause a boilover in the $1-million second leg of the New York Turf Triple.

Drawn nine in a field of 11, the Joseph O'Brien trainee jumped fairly and was able to get over and save some ground beneath John Velazquez, setting in about sixth position and racing in free air as Cellist (Big Blue Kitten) led them along at a solid clip, with favored GI Belmont Derby hero Bolshoi Ballet (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) somewhat surprisingly his nearest pursuer through a half-mile that was posted in :47.54. Maintaining that mid-pack position down the backstretch, but in touch at the back of the leading group, State of Rest raced three back the fence in the slipstream of GII American Turf hero Du Jour (Temple City) as they rounded the second turn. Traveling on the bridle entering the stretch, State of Rest was pulled out and across the heels of Bolshoi Ballet nearing the furlong grounds, took command four off the inside and charged clear to win decisively. Soldier Rising (GB) (Frankel {GB}) was last to make the first turn and lingered towards the rear, then rallied inside in the stretch to complete the exacta. Du Jour kept on for third.

“I thought Johnny [Velazquez] gave him a fantastic ride,” said O'Brien, who sent out Baron Samedi (GB) (Harbour Watch {Ire}) to win the GII Belmont Gold Cup on Belmont S. weekend. “The pace was pretty strong and he got him comfortable and came home strong. We knew he would like the firm turf and getting more distance today.

The Breeders' Cup-winning jockey and trainer added: “We figured this was a lovely spot and that the conditions would suit him well. We weren't sure how he would handle this level and he had never been around these turns before, but he handled everything really well.”

A maiden winner at first asking at Fairyhouse last June, State of Rest was a good third behind Chindit (Ire) (Wootton Bassett {GB}) in the G2 Champagne S. at Doncaster Sept. 12 before closing the season with a fifth to future G1 Irish 2000 Guineas hero Mac Swiney (Ire) (New Approach {Ire}) in the G1 Vertem Futurity Trophy. His lone appearance this term resulted in a running-on third in the Listed Celebration S. at the Curragh June 26.

“He was unlucky not to win his last race,” said O'Brien. “He ran really well and we knew that getting more distance today would suit him well.”

Pedigree Notes:

State of Rest is the third top-level scorer for his sire (by Choisir {GB}) and first going a route of ground, joining G1 Prix Morny hero The Wow Signal (Ire) and G1 Cheveley Park Stud S. victress Millisle (Ire). Repose is the dam of a Dandy Man (Ire) filly set to go sell as lot 205 from Tinnakill House at next month's Goffs Orby Sale and she is back in foal to Sea the Stars (Ire). State of Rest hails from the same female family of MGISW Music Note (A.P. Indy), the dam of 'TDN Rising Star' and G1 Dubai World Cup hero Mystic Guide (Ghostzapper) as well as G1 Poule d'Essai des Pouliches heroine Musical Chimes (In Excess {Ire}), also a Grade I winner in this country.

Saturday, Saratoga
SARATOGA DERBY INVITATIONAL S.-GI, $1,000,000, Saratoga, 8-7, 3yo, 1 3/16mT, 1:53.35, fm.
1–STATE OF REST (IRE), 122, c, 3, by Starspangledbanner (Aus)
                1st Dam: Repose, by Quiet American
                2nd Dam: Monaassabaat, by Zilzal
                3rd Dam: It's in the Air, by Mr. Prospector
1ST BLACK-TYPE WIN, 1ST GRADED-STAKES WIN, 1ST GRADE
I WIN. (45,000gns Wlg '18 TATFOA; 60,000gns Ylg '19
TATOCT). O-Teme Valley; B-Tinnakill Bloodstock Ltd (IRE);
T-Joseph Patrick O'Brien; J-John R. Velazquez. $550,000.
Lifetime Record: 8-2-1-2, $607,668. Werk Nick Rating: F. Click
for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–Soldier Rising (GB), 122, g, 3, Frankel (GB)–Sahrawi (Ger), by
Pivotal (GB). (240,000gns RNA Ylg '19 TATOCT). O-Madaket
Stables LLC, Michael Dubb, Morris Bailey, Wonder Stables &
Michael J. Caruso; B-Dayton Investments Ltd. (GB);
T-Christophe Clement. $200,000.
3–Du Jour, 122, c, 3, Temple City–Guiltless, by Bernardini.
($19,000 Ylg '19 KEESEP; $280,000 2yo '20 OBSAPR). O-Natalie
Baffert & Debbie Lanni; B-Woods Edge Farm, LLC (KY);
T-William I. Mott. $120,000.
Margins: 1, 2HF, HF. Odds: 21.10, 14.60, 10.20.
Also Ran: Bolshoi Ballet (Ire), Secret Protector, Cellist, Palazzi, Yes This Time, Cadillac (Ire), King Fury, Flashiest.
Click for the Equibase.com chart, the TJCIS.com PPs or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. VIDEO, sponsored by TVG.

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Bolshoi Ballets Looks to Take Second Leg of Turf Trinity

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

“It's a good opportunity for him,' said T J Comerford, traveling assistant to O'Brien. “He's doing well and came back here in good order. Aidan and the team are very happy with him at the moment. If he runs to his last race, he should be right there again.”

Charlie Appleby saddles another worth a hard look in Godolphin's Secret Protector (War Front). The $800,000 KEESEP buy won a Meydan allowance in February and was runner-up in both the Feilden S. Apr. 13 and Newmarket S. May 1. The bay enters off a third in the G3 Hampton Court S. June 17 at Royal Ascot.

Another strong European contender is Cadillac (Ire) (Lope de Vega {Ire}). Victorious in the G2 KPMG Champions Juvenile S. in September, the bay was fifth in the G1 Dewhurst S. in October and finished fourth in the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf S. Nov. 6. He enters off a victory in the G3 ARM Holding International S. June 26.

Leading the U.S. contingent is Natalie Baffert and Debbie Lanni's Du Jour (Temple City). The $280,000 OBSAPR purchase won a trio of grass 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 previous trainer was temporarily banned from entries at NYRA. Baffert won an injunction to return to racing at NYRA, but the colt remains in Mott's care for this event.

Also worth a mention is GIII Stonestreet Lexington S. victor King Fury (Curlin), who tries turf for the first time here after finishing a close second in the GIII Ohio Derby last out June 26. The hulking chestnut was originally scheduled to run in last weekend's GII Jim Dandy S., but was forced to miss that event as his trainer Ken McPeek's barn was under quarantine. Without many options left to prep for the GI Runhappy Travers S., King Fury resurfaces in this test.

“We're really using this race as a prep for the Travers, which is something that Catholic Boy (More Than Ready) pulled off. So that will be interesting,” McPeek said. “I think he'll handle the grass just fine. He's a lovely horse. So hopefully, it's one step and a big one for him.”

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