Classic Causeway Shocks Belmont Derby in Turf Debut
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Photo: Coglianese Photos
Classic Causeway wins the Belmont Derby at Belmont Park
Classic Causeway turned in a shocker of a performance July 9 in the $1 million Caesars Belmont Derby Invitational (G1T) at Belmont Park, winning his turf debut at the highest stakes level at odds of 26-1.
The 3-year-old son of the late Giant's Causeway showed the way throughout in the 1 1/4-mile event and had plenty left to give as he held off his rivals at the line in a final time of 1:59.99 on a firm course. He paid $55.50 to win.
European raiders Nations Pride and Stone Age completed the trifecta in a blanket finish for the minor awards.
Classic Causeway came into the Belmont Derby for trainer Ken McPeek and jockey Julien Leparoux off a third in the June 25 Ohio Derby (G3), his first start for McPeek. Before that, he ran 11th in the May 7 Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve (G1) for former trainer Brian Lynch. He won the Lambholm South Tampa Bay Derby (G2) and the Sam F. Davis Stakes (G3) earlier in the season.
He is owned by Kentucky West Racing & Clarke M. Cooper Family Living Trust and was bred by those connections out of the Thunder Gulch marePrivate World .
This story will be updated.
Video: Caesars Belmont Derby Invitational S. (G1T)