Caesars Belmont Derby Invitational Stakes (G1T) winner Classic Causeway will look for a return to the winners circle in the Aug. 6 $1 million Caesars Saratoga Derby Invitational (G1T) at Saratoga Race Course.
“It’s pretty much a no-brainer; he will head to the Saratoga Derby,” trainer Kenny McPeek commented July 18. “He will get a few maintenance breezes here; he is doing super and came out of the Belmont Derby great. He’s a horse we are really excited about.”
The 3-year-old Giant’s Causeway colt has earnings of more than $1.1 million over the past two years from nine starts, carrying a record of 4-1-2.
Initially trained by Brian Lynch at 2, he won on first asking at Saratoga in September, followed with a third in the Claiborne Breeders’ Futurity (G1), and was second in the Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes (G2) to finish out 2021.
This year he came out swinging, racking up wins in the Sam F. Davis Stakes (G3) and the Lambholm South Tampa Bay Derby (G2).
His next two consecutive starts in the Curlin Florida Derby Presented by Hill ‘n’ Dale Farms at Xalapa (G1) and the Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve (G1) were fruitless, finishing last in the field and 11th, respectively.
After a trainer switch, the homebred colt for Kentucky West Racing and Clarke Cooper ran third in the Ohio Derby (G3) in June before his most recent win on the grass in the Belmont Derby.
