Lost Ark Prevails in Jockey Club Derby Invitational

The Jockey Club Derby Invitational became another casualty of the brutally wet weather New York has been experiencing this fall and was rained off the turf to the main track Oct. 7 at the Belmont at the Big A meet. 

Scratched down to five horses from its original nine entries, the aptly named Lost Ark , owned by Harrell Ventures, was the winner of the 1 1/4-mile race (it was originally slated for 1 3/8 miles) that was run on a sloppy and sealed track. 

A SWEEP

As it would turn out, Hall of Fame trainer Todd Pletcher, represented by a trio of runners in the $485,000 Jockey Club Derby, took the top three spots. Lost Ark, racing with blinkers on and Kendrick Carmouche in the saddle, held off stablemate Classic Catch , the 6-5 favorite who had a rocky start while sandwiched between horses, to post a three-quarter-length victory. The other Pletcher runner, Fearless Soldier , the pacesetter, finished third. 

REVIEW PROCESS

Scheduled as a grade 3, the Jockey Club Derby was downgraded per American Graded Stakes Committee rules due to the change in surface. The committee will review the race and the horses that competed in the coming days and has the option to reinstate its former graded status.

BACKSTORY

Lost Ark, a 3-year-old son of Violence   who stands at Hill 'n' Dale Farm in Paris, Ky., earned his second stakes win in the Jockey Club Derby after winning the Sapling Stakes at 2. 

Bred by Ashview Farm and Colts Neck Stables, the Kentucky-bred was bought by agent Steve Young for $275,000 at the 2021 Keeneland September Yearling Sale from Ashview Farm's consignment. He is a half-brother to last year's champion 3-year-old filly Nest .

Lost Ark's dam, Marion Ravenwood , was bought by M.V. Magnier for $2.6 million while in foal to Curlin   at the 2022 Keeneland November Breeding Stock Sale. 

Video: Jockey Club Derby Invitational S. (BT)