Turf Triple Takes Center Stage: Belmont Derby Kicks Off Prestigious Three-Year-Old Grass Series
The prestigious New York Turf Triple gets underway this Saturday, July 6, with the Grade 1, $750,000 Belmont Derby at Aqueduct Racetrack. Despite Belmont Park being closed for construction, this esteemed 3-year-old turf race continues its tradition, now temporarily relocated to the Aqueduct facility.
Unlike the iconic Belmont Stakes, the Belmont Derby is contested on the grass at a distance of 1 3/16 miles, a half-furlong shorter than its typical trip. This timing in the summer allows the turf division to take shape, with the series continuing through August at Saratoga and concluding in October back at Aqueduct.
The Field
The Belmont Derby field features five talented sophomores, all coming out of graded stakes wins or competitive efforts. Morning-line favorite Endlessly (6-5) is a synthetic and dirt stakes winner looking to transfer his form to the lawn, while Charlie Appleby’s import Legend of Time (5-2) will try to continue his winning ways after taking the local Pennine Ridge (G2) prep.
“Chad Brown’s White Palomino (5-1) and Bill Mott’s Royal Majesty (6-1) look to turn the tables on Legend of Time, while Graham Motion’s Trikari (7-2) brings speed and the ability to handle some give in the ground.”
The Conditions
With rain in the forecast, the turf conditions could play a key role in the outcome of this year’s Belmont Derby. Tune in to FanDuel Racing and Fox Sports 2 this Saturday at 3:08 PM EDT to catch all the action from Aqueduct!
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