By Alan Carasso
Sent off the fourth-longest shot on the board for Saturday's GI Saratoga Derby Invitational S., State of Rest (Ire) (Starspangledbanner {Aus}) took over a furlong from home and sped clear to cause a boilover in the $1-million second leg of the New York Turf Triple.
Drawn nine in a field of 11, the Joseph O'Brien trainee jumped fairly and was able to get over and save some ground beneath John Velazquez, setting in about sixth position and racing in free air as Cellist (Big Blue Kitten) led them along at a solid clip, with favored GI Belmont Derby hero Bolshoi Ballet (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) somewhat surprisingly his nearest pursuer through a half-mile that was posted in :47.54. Maintaining that mid-pack position down the backstretch, but in touch at the back of the leading group, State of Rest raced three back the fence in the slipstream of GII American Turf hero Du Jour (Temple City) as they rounded the second turn. Traveling on the bridle entering the stretch, State of Rest was pulled out and across the heels of Bolshoi Ballet nearing the furlong grounds, took command four off the inside and charged clear to win decisively. Soldier Rising (GB) (Frankel {GB}) was last to make the first turn and lingered towards the rear, then rallied inside in the stretch to complete the exacta. Du Jour kept on for third.
“I thought Johnny [Velazquez] gave him a fantastic ride,” said O'Brien, who sent out Baron Samedi (GB) (Harbour Watch {Ire}) to win the GII Belmont Gold Cup on Belmont S. weekend. “The pace was pretty strong and he got him comfortable and came home strong. We knew he would like the firm turf and getting more distance today.
The Breeders' Cup-winning jockey and trainer added: “We figured this was a lovely spot and that the conditions would suit him well. We weren't sure how he would handle this level and he had never been around these turns before, but he handled everything really well.”
A maiden winner at first asking at Fairyhouse last June, State of Rest was a good third behind Chindit (Ire) (Wootton Bassett {GB}) in the G2 Champagne S. at Doncaster Sept. 12 before closing the season with a fifth to future G1 Irish 2000 Guineas hero Mac Swiney (Ire) (New Approach {Ire}) in the G1 Vertem Futurity Trophy. His lone appearance this term resulted in a running-on third in the Listed Celebration S. at the Curragh June 26.
“He was unlucky not to win his last race,” said O'Brien. “He ran really well and we knew that getting more distance today would suit him well.”
Pedigree Notes:
State of Rest is the third top-level scorer for his sire (by Choisir {GB}) and first going a route of ground, joining G1 Prix Morny hero The Wow Signal (Ire) and G1 Cheveley Park Stud S. victress Millisle (Ire). Repose is the dam of a Dandy Man (Ire) filly set to go sell as lot 205 from Tinnakill House at next month's Goffs Orby Sale and she is back in foal to Sea the Stars (Ire). State of Rest hails from the same female family of MGISW Music Note (A.P. Indy), the dam of 'TDN Rising Star' and G1 Dubai World Cup hero Mystic Guide (Ghostzapper) as well as G1 Poule d'Essai des Pouliches heroine Musical Chimes (In Excess {Ire}), also a Grade I winner in this country.
Saturday, Saratoga
SARATOGA DERBY INVITATIONAL S.-GI, $1,000,000, Saratoga, 8-7, 3yo, 1 3/16mT, 1:53.35, fm.
1–STATE OF REST (IRE), 122, c, 3, by Starspangledbanner (Aus)
1st Dam: Repose, by Quiet American
2nd Dam: Monaassabaat, by Zilzal
3rd Dam: It's in the Air, by Mr. Prospector
1ST BLACK-TYPE WIN, 1ST GRADED-STAKES WIN, 1ST GRADE
I WIN. (45,000gns Wlg '18 TATFOA; 60,000gns Ylg '19
TATOCT). O-Teme Valley; B-Tinnakill Bloodstock Ltd (IRE);
T-Joseph Patrick O'Brien; J-John R. Velazquez. $550,000.
Lifetime Record: 8-2-1-2, $607,668. Werk Nick Rating: F. Click
for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–Soldier Rising (GB), 122, g, 3, Frankel (GB)–Sahrawi (Ger), by
Pivotal (GB). (240,000gns RNA Ylg '19 TATOCT). O-Madaket
Stables LLC, Michael Dubb, Morris Bailey, Wonder Stables &
Michael J. Caruso; B-Dayton Investments Ltd. (GB);
T-Christophe Clement. $200,000.
3–Du Jour, 122, c, 3, Temple City–Guiltless, by Bernardini.
($19,000 Ylg '19 KEESEP; $280,000 2yo '20 OBSAPR). O-Natalie
Baffert & Debbie Lanni; B-Woods Edge Farm, LLC (KY);
T-William I. Mott. $120,000.
Margins: 1, 2HF, HF. Odds: 21.10, 14.60, 10.20.
Also Ran: Bolshoi Ballet (Ire), Secret Protector, Cellist, Palazzi, Yes This Time, Cadillac (Ire), King Fury, Flashiest.
Click for the Equibase.com chart, the TJCIS.com PPs or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. VIDEO, sponsored by TVG.
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