Saratoga: Exotics Plays for the Belmont Derby on Friday

A strong field of eight will vie in Friday’s lucrative $750,000 Belmont Derby (G1) at Saratoga. The 1 1/8-mile turf test features an accomplished and talented cast with not a whole lot separating the contenders in the field, in my opinion. 

Belmont Derby Exotics

• $4 exacta key box 3 with 4,5,8 ($16)
   
• 50-cent superfecta 3,4 with 3,4,5 with 3,4,5,8 with all ($8)

European invader #3 Luther (6-1) displayed a lot of ability as a juvenile, which included a runner-up performance behind morning-line second choice #4 New Century (3-1) at Salisbury in his second career appearance. Trained by Charlie Fellowes, the son of superstar Frankel finished second in his seasonal debut prior to checking in a close fourth in a strong field in the Poule d’Essai des Poulains (G1) at Longchamp in his second run of the season. The bay colt didn’t follow up his fine run in the French Two Thousand Guineas in a great way when well beaten in a subsequent Group 1 try at Chantilly, but a cut back in distance in a more reasonable spot will aid the contender on Friday. Kieran Shoemark comes in to pilot the sophomore. 

New Century earned his top win to date in the Summer S. (G1) at Woodbine in September prior to concluding his two-year-old campaign with a commendable fourth-place result in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf (G1) at Del Mar. The son of Kameko rallied from well back to be third in the American Turf S. (G1) in his return to the States last time out, and if he can thrive at nine furlongs, then the bay colt will be an imposing threat late with regular rider Oisin Murphy in for the ride. 

Transylvania S. (G3) victor #5 Test Score (4-1) finished ahead of New Century when runner-up in the American Turf in his latest venture for trainer Graham Motion. The Amerman homebred has been in good form as a three-year-old, and his tactical speed will help him get the jump on the late runners turning for home in this endeavor. Manny Franco retains the ride.