We’re in the Camp of Derby Contender Soldier Rising
$1 million Jockey Club Derby at Belmont
A field of eight will contest the Jockey Club Derby at Belmont on Saturday, including Soldier Rising.
The 3-year-old son of Frankel is bred to be better than average, so the betting online markets will have him well-fancied.
We also look at the Jockey Club Oaks, where Saratoga Oaks winner Con Lima and Pucker Up Stakes winner Shantisara headline the fillies race.
All Eyes on Soldier Rising
The future is bright for Soldier Rising, who had four starts in France before coming to the U.S. for trainer Christophe Clement.
His efforts in France included two wins from four starts before running second behind State of Rest in the Grade I Saratoga Derby in his American debut.
What a race by SOLDIER RISING (Frankel) to run 2nd in the Saratoga Derby on his first start stateside.
Exciting horse going forward. https://t.co/w4cQ8RxKaS
— Jess Samy (@FrankelWatch13) August 8, 2021
It was an excellent run after setting well off the pace, and Clement was pleased with the result.
“He ran a very good race in Saratoga,” Clement told Daily Racing Form. “He finished second, came on the rail, finished very well, and got beat by a Joseph O’Brien horse. “He’s trained well ever since. It’s been a perfect spot ever since, and I’m excited about it.”
The royally-bred son of Frankel is a winner in the waiting and horse racing betting markets should reflect as much. The former Andre Fabre-trained gelding has his mind on the job and we wouldn’t be overlooking his chances.
Japanese Runner Gunning for Gold
The Japanese-trained and French-based Tokyo Gold could be the omen bet for the Jockey Club Derby.
He is a son of Kendargent who finished second behind Bolshoi Ballet in the Belmont Derby, which is an excellent form guide for this race.
His efforts in France included a fourth in the Prix Noailles, so he has faced tough opposition throughout his career. Winning a big race is the next stop for Tokyo Gold, who could earn a spot in the Breeders’ Cup Turf in November.
We expect Tokyo Gold to be one of the leading fancies in betting markets to get either the gold, silver or bronze.
Appleby Lines Up Yibir
Three-year-old colt Yibir represents the Charlie Appleby stable and they must always be respected.
The son of Dubawi won the Great Voltigeur Stakes at York last month before making the trek to Belmont for the Jockey Club Derby.
He’s not the most consistent type going around, but his second placing behind Lone Eagle in the Cocked Hat Stakes was followed by a quality win in the Bahrain Trophy at Newmarket.
Godolphin rarely brings a runner to the U.S. without it being a winning chance.
Oaks in Con Lima’s Sights
The Jockey Club Oaks boasts an even field of talented fillies, headed by Saratoga Oaks winner Con Lima.
She is a talented daughter of Commissioner, who has shown amazing consistency throughout her career. Con Lima has yet to run worse than fourth, which came in the Gulfstream Park Oaks.
Her wins include the Wonder Again Stakes, Saratoga Oaks, and Honey Ryder, so she is accustomed to facing high quality fields.
Trainer Todd Pletcher was pleased with her natural pace in the Saratoga Oaks, which saw her lead throughout.
“I was analyzing the race beforehand and we were the only speed but I wasn’t 100 percent sure with a couple of the Euros if they would show some initiative. I left it in Flavien’s [Prat] hands and Plan A was to break well and see if anybody would try to take the lead away from us and if they didn’t, we’d be happy to have it. It worked out really well,” Pletcher said.
CON LIMA TAKES THEM ALL THE WAY!#Texas-bred CON LIMA wins the G3 Saratoga Oaks Invitational at @thenyra Saratoga!
Congrats to @EclipseTBP, et al, and Texas Horse Racing Hall of Famer @PletcherRacing! pic.twitter.com/xoDgwE7WpD
— Texas Thoroughbred (@TTAtexas) August 8, 2021
We put Con Lima at the top of Jockey Club Oaks betting markets, but she will get a strong challenge from the likes of Shantisara, Oyster Box and Higher Truth.
The latter finished second behind Con Lima in the Saratoga Oaks, but the daughter of Galileo could turn the tables.
She won consecutive races at Belmont before running third in the Belmont Oaks behind Santa Barbara and Con Lima, who would again finish in front of her at Saratoga.
Returning to Belmont is ideal for Higher Truth, who could run the quinella with Con Lima again. It could pay to follow horse racing odds for a late betting push with Higher Truth.