Ballydoyle Pair Arrive at Belmont for July 10 Stakes
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Photo: Patrick McCann/Racing Post
Bolshoi Ballet wins the Derby Trial Stakes at Leopardstown Racecourse
The Aidan O'Brien-trained pair of Bolshoi Ballet and Santa Barbara arrived in New York by way of Ballydoyle Training Center in Ireland July 4 for their respective starts in the first leg of NYRA's Turf Triple series July 10 at Belmont Park.
Bolshoi Ballet targets the $1 million Belmont Derby Invitational (G1T), while stablemate Santa Barbara will be entered in the $700,000 Belmont Oaks Invitational (G1T). Both races are contested at 10 furlongs on the inner turf.
"They're perfect. They've arrived in great shape," said T.J. Comerford, traveling assistant for O'Brien.
Bolshoi Ballet, who finished seventh as the favorite last out in the Kazoo Derby (G1) at Epsom Racecourse, will look to give O'Brien a second triumph in the Belmont Derby after shipping Deauville stateside for a successful engagement in 2016.
The bay son of influential international sire Galileo won both his efforts in 2021 prior to the Epsom Derby.
"He's in good order and looks well. We're very happy with him," Comerford said.
Owned by Michael Tabor, Mrs. John Magnier, Derrick Smith and Westerberg, Bolshoi Ballet is out of the Anabaa mare Alta Anna.
Santa Barbara breaks her maiden last fall at the Curragh
Santa Barbara arrives at the Belmont Oaks off a runner-up effort to Thundering Nights in the June 27 Pretty Polly Stakes (G1) at the Curragh. Since a first out maiden victory over the County Kildare green in September, the daughter of Camelot has made her three following efforts against group 1 company.
Out of the Danehill mare Senta's Dream, Santa Barbara is a half sister to Breeders' Cup winners Iridessa (2019 Maker's Mark BC Filly and Mare Turf, G1T) and Order of Australia (2020 Fan Duel BC Mile Presented by PDJF, G1T).
"She's a filly that we think a lot of," Comerford said. "She ran in some tough races this year after winning her maiden race. She's taken everything in stride."
Turf Triple contenders Tokyo Gold , Cirona and Nazuna also arrived at Belmont on Sunday.
Trained by Shinya Kobayashi, Tokyo Gold will start in the Belmont Derby, while the Christophe Ferland-trained Cirona and Roger Varian-conditioned Nazuna will point to the Belmont Oaks.