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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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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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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“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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The 1 3/16-mile Mellon turf test is one of three Grade 1 events on Saturday's 12-race card, led by the $1 million Whitney at nine-furlongs on the main track for older males and the $500,000 Longines Test for sophomore fillies at seven furlongs on the main track. The lucrative card is bolstered by the Grade 2, $250,000 Glens Falls at 12 furlongs on the inner turf for older fillies and mares and the $120,000 Fasig-Tipton Lure for older horses at 1 1/16-miles on the Mellon turf course.

Bolshoi Ballet, by the late Galileo and trained by Aidan O'Brien, was a visually-appealing winner of the 10-furlong Grade 1 Belmont Derby Invitational on July 10, capturing the first leg of NYRA's Turf Triple series by 1 1/4-lengths over good turf under jockey Ryan Moore's confident handling.

T.J. Comerford, traveling assistant for O'Brien, said the team is expecting another top performance.

“It's a good opportunity for him,' Comerford said. “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.”

A victory on Saturday could set Bolshoi Ballet up to become the first horse to capture all three legs of the Turf Triple series that was inaugurated in 2019. The series concludes September 18 at Belmont with the 12-furlong $1 million Jockey Club Derby Invitational, which offers a “Win and You're In” berth to the Breeders' Cup Turf.

Following a juvenile campaign which included a four-length maiden triumph over yielding turf on October 16 at Leopardstown, Bolshoi Ballet launched his sophomore season with decisive wins in the Ballysax on April 11 and the Derrinstown Stud Derby Trial on May 9, both Group 3 events at 1 1/4 miles at Leopardstown.

Bolshoi Ballet entered the Belmont Derby from a disappointing seventh as the beaten favorite in the Group 1 Epsom Derby on June 5, emerging with a cut to his right hind leg.

Bolshoi Ballet, who will exit from post 6 under Moore, who will look to provide O'Brien with his first Saratoga winner in his eighth attempt.

Moore, a three-time champion jockey in his native Great Britain, seeks his first win at Saratoga in his third attempt following a runner-up effort with Mendelssohn in the 2018 Grade 1 Travers and a sixth with Idaho in the 2017 Grade 1 Sword Dancer.

Alpha Racing's Cadillac, an Irish-bred son of Lope de Vega, cruised to victory in the one-mile Group 2 Champions Juvenile in September at Leopardstown for trainer Jessica Harrington.

Out of the Dansili mare Seas of Wells, Cadillac followed with a fifth-place effort in the seven-furlong Group 1 Dewhurst in October at Newmarket ahead of a closing fourth in the one-mile Grade 1 Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf in November at Keeneland.

Cadillac made a winning seasonal debut last out with a nose score over Dawn Patrol in the 10-furlong Group 3 ARM Holding International on June 26 at the Curragh.

Shane Foley retains the mount from post 4.

Fern Circle Stables and Three Chimneys Farm's King Fury was pointed to last weekend's Grade 2 Jim Dandy before changing course towards a turf debut after his barn was placed under a precautionary quarantine – which was lifted on Sunday – due to a positive case of Equine Herpesvirus-1 in that barn.

Trained by Kenny McPeek, the Curlin chestnut captured the 1 1/16-mile Street Sense in October at Churchill Downs and made the grade in the 1 1/16-mile Grade 3 Lexington in April at Keeneland.

Following a closing second to Masqueparade [who subsequently ran third in the Jim Dandy] last out on June 26 in the nine-furlong Grade 3 Ohio Derby at Thistledown, King Fury has breezed three times at Saratoga, including a five-eighths effort in 1:01.25 Sunday on the Oklahoma training turf.

McPeek said Saturday's test could serve as a prep for the Grade1, $1.25 million Runhappy Travers at 10 furlongs on the Saratoga main track on August 28, a double last accomplished by Catholic Boy in 2018.

“We're really using this race as a prep for the Travers, which is something that Catholic Boy 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.”

McPeek, who will also saddle filly Swiss Skydiver in the Whitney, noted his previous success with versatile runners, including multiple graded stakes winner Frac Daddy who was an allowance winner on turf and the 2017 Kentucky Oaks runner-up Daddys Lil Darling, who captured that year's Grade 1 American Oaks on the Santa Anita turf.

“A good horse will run on just about anything given the chance,” McPeek said. “There's some throwback horses over the years I've had that were like that. I spent a lot of time around Einstein, and he ran on anything, Frac Daddy was another one who ran on about anything. Dr. Fager ran on both surfaces back in the day. Daddys Lil Darling ran on dirt and turf, it didn't matter. I could run Swiss Skydiver on the grass and it wouldn't bother her.”

Ortiz will pilot King Fury from the outermost post 11.

Trainer Charlie Appleby will saddle Godolphin's Secret Protector, a Kentucky-bred son of War Front, as he looks to build on his great success in Grade 1 NYRA turf events this year, following one-two finishes with fillies Althiqa and Summer Romance in both the Longines Just a Game in June at Belmont and the Diana last month at Saratoga.

An $800,000 purchase at the Keeneland September Yearling Sale, Secret Protector was a dominant winner of the 1 3/16-mile Meydan Trophy in February ahead of back-to-back runner-up efforts to well-regarded Mohaafeth in 10-furlong events, including the Newmarket in May and the Group 3 Hampton Court last out on June 17 at Ascot.

Chris Connett, traveling assistant for Appleby, said the distance should suit Secret Protector.

“Trip wise it looks really made for him,” Connett said. “His run at Ascot was very good. I know he didn't win but from where he was in the run to how he finished was quite striking. It's going to be a tough race with Aidan's horse and a few of the others but Charlie is fairly confident if he runs the race he run at Ascot, he will take a bit of beating.”

Connect said Secret Protector would prefer good-to-firm footing.

“He's fairly versatile. He wouldn't really want it like a road but on the quicker side of things is fine,” said Connett.

Hall of Famer Mike Smith rides from post 7.

Calumet Farm's Cellist, trained by Rusty Arnold, has hit the board in 4-of-5 starts. The Big Blue Kitten bay, out of the English Channel mare Cello, captured the nine-furlong Audubon in May over good Churchill Downs turf.

A prominent Cellist made the lead at the stretch call of the Belmont Derby under regular pilot Julien Leparoux but had to settle for third after being passed late by Bolshoi Ballet and runner-up Tokyo Gold.

Leparoux retains the mount from post 8.

Natalie J. Baffert and Debbie Lanni's Du Jour garnered an 89 Beyer Speed Figure in winning the 1 1/16-mile Grade 2 American Turf in May at Churchill Downs. Last out, Du Jour endured a wide trip in the Belmont Derby but stayed on for fourth.

Du Jour will emerge from post 2 under Joel Rosario.

Trainer Mark Casse, who will be inducted to the Hall of Fame on Friday, will saddle John Oxley's late-running Palazzi. The Pioneerof the Nile colt finished sixth after exiting the inside post under Tyler Gaffalione in the Belmont Derby.

“He needs luck and pace. Two things he didn't have in his last start,” Casse said. “It was very frustrating because he was down on the inside with nowhere to go.”

Palazzi was a nose winner of the Texas Turf Mile in January at Sam Houston and two starts later closed to finish second in the 1 1/16-mile Grade 3 Transylvania in April over good Keeneland turf.

He entered the Belmont Derby from a closing second to Cellist in the Audubon.
Gaffalione will guide Palazzi from post 3.

Edge Racing's Yes This Time has won 6-of-8 career starts, including stakes scores in his last two outings in the 1 1/16-mile English Channel in May over good Gulfstream Park turf and the Grade 3 Kent in July at Delaware traveling nine furlongs over soft going.

Trained by Kelly Breen, the Not This Time chestnut is out of the Smart Strike mare Smart Jilly, who is a full-sister to multiple graded-stakes winning millionaire Strike a Deal.

Yes This Time will leave from post 5 under Luis Saez.

Teme Valley's State of Rest, an Irish-bred son of Starspangledbanner trained by Joseph O'Brien, finished third in the seven-furlong Group 2 Champagne in September at Doncaster but failed to fire next out in the one-mile Group 1 Vertem Futurity Trophy in October on the same course.

Last out, State of Rest finished a close third in the one-mile Celebration, a half-length back of the victorious Fourhometwo and just a nose in arrears of runner-up Khartoum over good going on June 26 at the Curragh.

Hall of Famer John Velazquez will pilot State of Rest from post 9.

Madaket Stables, Michael Dubb, Morris Bailey, Wonder Stables and Michael Caruso's Soldier Rising, a British-bred son of Frankel, will make his graded-stakes debut for trainer Christophe Clement.

Soldier Rising has made all four career starts in France for his former conditioner Andre Fabre, including an allowance score traveling 12-furlongs over soft going in April at Chantilly. Last out, the bay gelding finished second in the listed Prix de l'Avre traveling 12-furlongs over soft ground at Longchamp.

Irad Ortiz, Jr. will guide Soldier Rising from the inside post.

Wachtel Stable, Gary Barber, Nicolas Drion and Mathilde Powell's Flashiest has won 3-of-4 starts, including a first stakes score last out in the one-mile Oceanside at one-mile on firm Del Mar turf.

Trained by Leonard Powell, the Mizzen Mast gelding graduated at first asking in April in a maiden claimer at Turf Paradise and followed by besting winners in a one-mile optional-claimer in May at Santa Anita.

Jose Lezcano will guide Flashiest from post 10.

The Saratoga Derby is slated at Race 9 on Saturday's 12-race card. First post is 12:35 p.m. Eastern. Saratoga Live will present daily television coverage of the summer meet on FOX Sports. For the complete Saratoga Live broadcast schedule, and additional programming information, visit https://www.nyra.com/saratoga/racing/tv-schedule.

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The Committee reviewed 849 U.S. stakes races with a purse of at least $75,000, and assigned Graded status to 445 of them, three fewer than were graded in 2020, and Listed status to 193 races. Three Graded races were upgraded; one new Grade 1 and four new Grade 3 races were named; 12 new Listed races were upgraded from non-Listed Black Type status. Fifteen races which carried Graded or Listed status in 2020 are no longer eligible for grading.

One race, the Saratoga Derby Invitational S. at Saratoga, was upgraded to Grade 1 status for 2021.

No races were downgraded from Grade 1 to Grade 2 for 2021.

Three races were upgraded to Grade 2 status for 2021: the Red Smith S. at Aqueduct and Franklin-Simpson S. and Kentucky Turf Cup S. at Kentucky Downs.

Three races were downgraded from Grade 2 to Grade 3 in 2021: the Knickerbocker S. at Belmont Park and Palos Verdes S. and Las Virgenes S. at Santa Anita Park.

Four races were upgraded to Grade 3 status for 2021: the Gulfstream Park Turf Sprint S. at Gulfstream Park; Tourist Mile S. at Kentucky Downs; and Caress S. and Saratoga Oaks Invitational S. at Saratoga.

Five races were downgraded from Grade 3 to Listed status for 2021: the Discovery S. at Aqueduct; Palm Beach S. and Rampart S. at Gulfstream Park; Red Bank S. at Monmouth Park; and Senator Ken Maddy S. at Santa Anita Park.

Twelve races were upgraded to Listed status for 2021: the CTT and TOC S. at Del Mar; Kentucky Downs Preview Ladies Turf S. and Kentucky Downs Preview Tourist Mile S. at Ellis Park; Pago Hop S. and Tom Benson Memorial S. at Fair Grounds; Dueling Grounds Oaks at Kentucky Downs; Oaklawn Mile S. and Oaklawn S. at Oaklawn Park; Desert Code S. at Santa Anita Park; Mahony S. at Saratoga; Suncoast S. at Tampa Bay Downs; and Kentucky Cup Classic S. at Turfway Park.

Five races were downgraded from Listed to non-Listed Black Type status for 2021: Correction S. at Aqueduct; Delta Mile S. at Delta Downs; Azalea S. at Gulfstream Park; Dixie Belle S. at Oaklawn Park; and John Battaglia Memorial S. at Turfway Park.

The Arlington Classic S., Arlington Matron S. and Stars and Stripes S. at Arlington Park; the C.E.R.F. S., Daisycutter H., Osunitas S. and Wickerr S. at Del Mar; Skip Away S. at Gulfstream Park; Maxxam Gold Cup S. at Sam Houston Race Park; Lone Star Park H. at Lone Star Park; Iowa Distaff S. and Saylorville S. at Prairie Meadows; and Adoration S., Black Pearl S. and Midnight Lute S. at Santa Anita Park were not eligible for grading in 2021.

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Trained by Christophe Clement, who saddled Have At It [2018], Summer Front [2012] and subsequent multiple-champion Gio Ponti [2008] to Hill Prince triumphs, Decorated Invader arrives off a close fifth-place finish in the Saratoga Derby on August 15. The son of Declaration of War tracked in second position and made a three-wide bid at the top of the stretch before engaging in a stretch battle while in-between horses, but was overtaken inside the sixteenth pole to finish three-quarters of a length back to winner Domestic Spending.

The Saratoga Derby was the first loss of the year for Decorated Invader, who captured the Cutler Bay on March 28 at Gulfstream Park in his 2020 bow before winning the Grade 2 Pennine Ridge on June 20 at Belmont Park and the Grade 2 National Museum of Racing Hall of Fame on July 18 at Saratoga.

Decorated Invader will be cutting back to one mile for the Hill Prince.

“He didn't run great going a mile and three sixteenths, but he only got beat three-quarters of a length,” said Terry Finley of West Point Thoroughbreds. “We aren't necessarily thinking about going past 1 1/8 miles because it's not in front of us at the moment. With Christophe, Gio Ponti is a good comparable. He was an incredibly talented horse and Christophe and the owner [Castleton Lyons] did a great job in managing him. The good thing with these types of horses is that you have good comparables. You can see the good moves and the ones that didn't work.”

During his 2-year-old campaign, Decorated Invader scored a breakthrough win in the Grade 1 Summer last September over a yielding turf at Woodbine, which came after a second-out maiden victory over the Mellon turf at Saratoga over next-out winner and eventual graded stakes-placed Summer to Remember.

“He's getting a bit of a breather here,” Finley said. “He's been at it once a month pretty much since the end of March when he made his 3-year-old debut and Christophe and his staff have done a great job with the horse.”

Finley praised sire Declaration of War for producing quality runners. In addition to Decorated Invader, the fourth crop sire by War Front has produced Grade 1 winner Gufo, also conditioned by Clement, as well as stakes winners Peace Achieved, Silver Prospector and Shesonthewarpath.

“Declaration of War's progeny have been winning everywhere,” Finley said. “They show brilliance, but it seems like they're durable on top of that. You're in a good spot when you have those two things.”

With three graded stakes victories and a record of 8-5-1-0, Decorated Invader boasts the highest amount of lifetime earnings in the field with $473,035.

Jockey Joel Rosario will target his fourth stakes victory of the meet aboard Decorated Invader, who drew post 3.

Mary Abeel Sullivan Revocable Trust's Get Smokin commanded the pace in the Saratoga Derby and seeks his first stakes victory for trainer Tom Bush.

Sure to show speed, the front-running son of Get Stormy broke his maiden last September going one mile over the Widener turf and has since been stakes-placed four times. Two starts after his maiden win, he made his sophomore debut in the Grade 3 Kitten's Joy on Jan. 4 at Gulfstream Park, where he attempted to wire the field at 11-1 odds but ended up finishing a half-length back to Island Commish.

Following another pair of stakes placings at Gulfstream Park in the Dania Beach on Feb. 1 and the March 28 Cutler Bay, Get Smokin was second in the Hall of Fame to Decorated Invader, where he established a 7 ¼-length lead before ultimately being overtaken by the winner at the top of the stretch.

Hall of Fame jockey Javier Castellano will ride from post 1.

After sending Buy Land and See to Belmont Park to a victory last October in the Awad, trainer Steve Klesaris will seek another stakes triumph on the NYRA circuit with the Pennsylvania-bred son of Cairo Prince.

Owned and bred by Joseph Imbessi, the lightly-raced Buy Land and See did not race again after the Awad until July 28, where he bested his Pennsylvania-bred counterparts going 7 ½ furlongs over the Parx turf by 5 ¼ lengths and registered an 84 Beyer Speed Figure for the win. In his most recent start, he cut back to 5 ½ furlongs for the Mahony at Saratoga, where he closed late to get third, beaten 4 ¾ lengths to frontrunning winner Jack and Noah.

Jockey Jose Lezcano will be in the irons from post 7.

Rounding out the field are Glynn County [post 2, Jose Ortiz], Bodecream [post 4, Irad Ortiz, Jr.], Starting Over [post 5, Dylan Davis], Chocolate Bar [post 6, Kendrick Carmouche], and Assiduously [post 9, Luis Saez]. Money Moves [post 8, Luis Saez] entered for main track only.

The Hill Prince honors Christopher T. Chenery's 1950 Horse of the Year, who scored victories in that year's Preakness Stakes, Jockey Club Gold Cup and Wood Memorial. Trained by Casey Hayes, Hill Prince was named Champion 2-Year-Old the year prior, when he won the Cowdin at Aqueduct. Upon retirement, Hill Prince stood at Claiborne Farm. He was inducted into Racing's Hall of Fame in 1991.

The Hill Prince is slated as Race 9 on Sunday's 10-race program, which offers a first post of 12:20 p.m. Eastern. America's Day at the Races will present daily television coverage of the 27-day fall meet on FOX Sports and MSG Networks. For the complete America's Day at the Races broadcast schedule, and additional programming information, visit https://www.nyra.com/belmont/racing/tv-schedule.

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Narrowly victorious at the Spa was Klaravich Stables’ Domestic Spending (GB) (Kingman {GB}), given slight morning-line favoritism here at 5-2. Bought for 300,000 guineas at Tattersalls October in 2018, the gelding graduated on debut at even-money Feb. 12 at Tampa and repeated with a fast finish in a mile allowance here June 7. Left with too much to do when third in the GII Hall of Fame S. July 18 at the Spa, he showed tactical speed for the first time in the Saratoga Derby and ground out a head victory.

Just missing was runner-up Gufo (Declaration of War). Graduating at second asking Dec. 29 at Gulfstream, the chestnut scored last-to-first victories in an optional claimer and the English Channel S. there Mar. 27 and May 2, respectively before making it three in a row with a half-length success in the GIII Kent S. July 4 at Delaware.

Wertheimer et Frere’s No Word (Silent Name {Jpn}) was a debut winner last summer at Saratoga and finished fifth as the favorite in the GIII Pilgrim S. in his juvenile finale. Third in a pair of tries this summer, the dark bay narrowly annexed a local optional claiming July 9 before running third at 18-1 in the Saratoga Derby.

Two last-out stakes winners add to the fray. Moon Over Miami (Malibu Moon), who was briefly on the GI Kentucky Derby trail earlier this year, scored a Churchill allowance victory on grass June 20 before running fourth at 14-1 in the Hall of Fame and drawing in off the also-eligible list to take the Gun Runner Dueling Grounds Derby Sept. 10 at Kentucky Downs. Godolphin’s Pixelate (City Zip), second or third in five straight stakes tries as a 3-year-old–including a runner-up finish to Gufo in the Kent–surged late to get up by a head in the GII Del Mar Derby Sept. 6.

Rounding out the major contenders is Venezuelan Hug (Constitution). Claimed from Orlyana Farm and Alexis Delgado when running third in a $40,000 maiden claimer Mar. 25 at Gulfstream, the gray dominated Florida-bred maiden special weight rivals next out Apr. 25 and repeated in a starter optional claimer May 30. Not quite ready for prime time when last of six in the GII Pennine Ridge S. here June 20, he bounced back with a sharp allowance success Aug. 9 at Saratoga and shows a pair of bullet half-mile works over Saratoga’s Oklahoma turf for Danny Gargan in this return to stakes company.

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Gufo ran third in his debut in November at Aqueduct Racetrack and has gone undefeated since, including a 1 1/2-length score in the 1 1/16-mile English Channel on May 2 at Gulfstream Park before a half-length score in his graded stakes debut going 1 1/8 miles on the Delaware Park grass. Gufo covered nine furlongs on firm turf in a track record 1:46.94, lowering the previous course record of 1:47.19 set by American Patriot in the 2016 Kent.

Trainer Christophe Clement said the Kent effort, which resulted in a 90 Beyer Speed Figure, could set up a potential start in the $500,000 Saratoga Derby on August 15 at Saratoga Race Course.

The second running of the Saratoga Derby is part of NYRA's Turf Triple series for 3-year-olds and is contested at 1 3/16 miles.

“He's a nice horse and getting better,” Clement said. “He'll be trained for the Saratoga Derby. We'll try to train him for that and go from there.”

Before heading up to the Spa, Clement saw a plethora of turf workers breeze Sunday morning at Belmont Park.

Eight-time graded stakes-winner Pure Sensation breezed four furlongs in 50.55. The 9-year-old veteran posted his first work since running seventh in the Grade 1 Jaipur on June 20, Belmont Stakes Day, that marked his seasonal bow and first start since running fifth in the Grade 1 Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint in November at Santa Anita.

“He looked good and worked well,” Clement said. “He was very willing. The main thing is to go one step at a time. It was good to get a race. He seems to be sound and willing, so if everything goes well in the next week or two, we'll be looking for another race. There's a race in mid-July [Wolf Hill, July 18] at Monmouth.”

Owned by Patricia Generazio, Pure Sensation is 14-5-7 with earnings of more than $2 million in 37 career starts.

Wegetsdamunnys and Olympic Games breezed four furlongs in 50.33 in company Sunday, setting up potential starts for both of them in the $80,000 River Memories on Closing Day of the Belmont spring/summer meet on Sunday, July 12.

Clement said they are both looking at the 1 ½-mile turf route in the River Memories. The French-bred Olympic Games, owned by Martin Schwartz, made her first North American start and first for Clement by running second by a neck to La Australiana, in the Treasure Coast on June 7 at Gulfstream. The 4-year-old daughter of Olympic Glory made her first five starts in France and raced once in Italy in November for trainer Jean-Claude Rouget before shipping over and being transferred to Clement's care.

Wegetsdamunnys, owned by Scott Krase and Peter Stokes, returned off a near seven-month layoff to beat optional claimers going 1 1/8 miles over the Belmont turf on June 8. She will look to start her 5-year-old year 2-for-2 and win her first stakes in the process.

“They are both coming into the race good and worked well this morning,” Clement said.

Sophomore filly Logic N Reason made her first start of 2020 on June 14 at Belmont, running seventh against allowance company as she wiped off the rust in her first start since a sixth-place finish in the Tepin on December 5 at Aqueduct that was moved off the turf.

The Declaration of War filly, owned by The Elkstone Group, put in an impressive solo work, going five furlongs in 1:02.48 and galloped out strong. Clement said he hasn't decided on a firm target for her next start.

“I'm not sure yet, we're keeping the options open,” Clement said.

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Piloted by Joel Rosario, who later guided Oleksandra to victory in the Grade 1 Jaipur presented by America's Best Racing, Decorated Invader broke sharply from the rail tracking pacesetter Proven Strategies and took command to the inside around the far turn to draw off to a 4 ¾-length victory as the heavy favorite.

“He came out of the race well. There are two stakes at Saratoga. We'll see how he trains, but the plan is to go there,” Clement said. “We'll go there and if he's fine, we'll do both and if he needs the extra time then we can just run in the Saratoga Derby. He looked great this morning.”

Owned by Terry Finley's West Point Thoroughbreds, William Sandbrook, William Freeman and Cheryl Manning, Declaration of War made his 2020 bow when taking the Cutler Bay over the turf on March 28 at Gulfstream Park. A winner of four races all over different surfaces, the colt by Declaration of War took the Grade 1 Summer at Woodbine en route to a fourth-place finish in the Grade 1 Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf – his lone off-the-board effort.

Oak Bluff Stables' seven-time stakes winning New York-bred Therapist is a candidate for either the $100,000 Kingston going 1 1/16 miles on July 5 or the $75,000 Banrock going six furlongs.

“He just worked this morning with Irad Ortiz, Jr. and looked great,” Clement said. “He has two options both for New York-breds either the Kingston or the Banrock a few days later.”

The son of Freud was victorious against open company in the last out First Defense, which was his first victory since taking the Elusive Quality last April.

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