It may be the Belmont Derby (G1T). But names can be confusing these days. With Belmont Park set to reopen Sept. 18, there are still a few mainstays from the Elmont, N.Y., racetrack taking up residence at a different locale. So, the Belmont Derby will be part of Saturday's July 4 card at Saratoga Race Course.
The top-level stakes, which was renamed from the Jamaica Handicap in 2014, should provide some fireworks with a highly competitive international field of 10 3-year-olds set to compete at 1 1/8 miles on the turf.
1. Blackmail (12-1 morning-line odds): He was a good second in the local prep for this, the Pennine Ridge Stakes (G2T), and gets the rail post here, which helps his chances. He won the Woodhaven Stakes at Aqueduct Racetrack two starts back.
JOCKEY: Javier Castellano; TRAINER: Mark Casse
2. Bottas (10-1): Was a troubled third in the Pennine Ridge. Considering it was his first start in seven months, he should move forward off that effort and looms a key contender in the final furlong.
JOCKEY: Manny Franco; TRAINER: Miguel Clement
3. Remember Mamba (7-2): Closed nicely to grab second in the American Turf Stakes (G1T) at Churchill Downs. Was 3-for-3 before that and will be helped by the extra sixteenth of a mile here. Another top contender sent out by the Kentucky Derby-winning jockey-trainer combo.
JOCKEY: Jose Ortiz; TRAINER: Cherie DeVaux
4. Third Coast (20-1): Exits a win in the Jersey Derby at Monmouth Park. Time was on the slow side and faces a tough challenge here.
JOCKEY: Jose Lezcano; TRAINER: Tom Proctor
5. Turf Star (30-1): Closed fast to win the James W. Murphy Stakes at Laurel Park. Showed some promise at 2 but will need to take a step forward here.
JOCKEY: Dylan Davis; TRAINER: Graham Motion
6. Pacific Avenue (6-1): European shipper has faced top company overseas. Was third in the Irish Two Thousand Guineas (G1T), 4 lengths behind Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf (G1T) winner Gstaad. Given the owner-trainer connections of Godolphin and Charlie Appleby, figures to be a force here.
JOCKEY: William Buick; TRAINER: Charlie Appleby
7. Tiernanogue (10-1): Was second by3 lengths in Churchill's Audubon Stakes in his stakes debut. Seems ambitiously placed.
JOCKEY: Ricardo Santana Jr.; TRAINER: Brendan Walsh
8. West End Kid (3-1): Won the Pennine Ridge Stakes for his third straight victory and seems to be getting better with each try. His early speed will be a huge asset in a race loaded with swift closers. Should be the one to catch in the final furlong.
JOCKEY: Tyler Gaffalione; TRAINER: Will Walden
9. Title Role (5-1): Seems the better of the two European entrants. Won the German Two Thousand Guineas (G2) last time out. Beat Pacific Avenue in Dubai earlier this year. The main concern is that he has yet to race beyond a mile.
JOCKEY: John Velazquez; TRAINER: Simon Crisford
10. Touch of Fire (5-1): Won the Audubon and has captured three of four career starts. Will get tested for class here, and drawing the outside post is a negative in a competitive field like this.
JOCKEY: Flavien Prat; TRAINER: Brad Cox
THE PICK: West End Kid
LIVE LONGSHOT: Bottas
SUPERFECTA: 8-9-3-6
