BEL Derby Invitational – Grade I

Distance: 1⅛ miles • Surface: Turf • Track: Saratoga Date: July 4, 2026 • Weight: 122 lbs

1 – P C Police

Performance

• 2026 record: 2 wins, 1 second from 3 starts; best fig 94.
• Turf record: 3 wins, 1 second, 1 third from 6 starts.
• Last three races all on turf at 1–1 1/16 miles, figures 93–92–89.
• Trips show consistent mid‑pack tracking, finishing strongly (e.g., moved 4→1 in last start).

Work Times

• 26Jun26 PRX 7f(T) fm 1:23.1 (1/1)
• 21May26 PRX 6f(T) sft 1:14.2 (1/2)
• All works turf‑based and competitive.

Jockey / Trainer Form

• Pennington F: 2026 record 361–78 (.22).
• Threshold: 2026 record 1048–187 (.18).

Trip Pattern

• Breaks mid‑pack, maintains position, finishes with steady forward motion.

Summary

There is no doubt that this is a big step up for the gelded son of Wonderful War but he gets into a gate which should suit and has been building a decent record recently.

2 – Blooming Attack

Performance

• Primarily a dirt performer; only two turf starts lifetime.
• 2026 dirt form includes G1 2nd (Stephn) and competitive G1/G2 efforts.
• Turf figure 92 from limited exposure.

Work Times

• 27Jun26 AQU 1m(T) fm 1:34.3 (1/8)
• 20Jun26 AQU 6f(T) fm 1:09.2 (2/22)
• Shows ability to work fast on turf despite limited race experience.

Jockey / Trainer Form

• Curtis B: 2026 record 437–82 (.19).
• Mb Stables: 2026 record 1322–349 (.26).

Trip Pattern

• Dirt races show early speed or pressing trips; turf trip history too limited for pattern.

SUMMARY

As with most three year olds with any sort of ability he was sent on the TC trail and after winning the Rebel was looking like a main contender for the stable. He was then poor in the SA Derby so saved for the Preakness where he ran creditably without getting any reward. A great effort to be second in the grade one Stephens last time wasn’t enough to keep him on the main track and he finds himself back on the turf today. The turf work as you would expect suggests no real difference between the surfaces so you can expect a prominent run.

3 – Reign Supreme

Performance

• Turf specialist: 4 wins, 1 second, 1 third from 6 turf starts.
• 2026 figures consistently 94–100, including G3 win and G1 2nd.
• Trips show forward placement, often sitting 2nd–4th before finishing strongly.

Work Times

• 18Jun26 AQU 7f(T) fm 1:22.2 (1/1)
• 27Jun26 AQU 6f(T) fm 1:10 (7/33)
• All works fast and turf‑specific.

Jockey / Trainer Form

• Lopez P: 2026 record 433–73 (.17).
• Mb Stables: 1322–349 (.26).

Trip Pattern

• Typically sits close (2–4 lengths), accelerates late, maintains position well.

Summary

As you would expect for a stable that has dominated the game almost exclusively at this level they have three starters here and three stand out chances to win. This gelding only broke his maiden at the start of the year but in his last two starts has picked up two of the major three year old turf prizes on offer so far this year. Although, like most of the stable he has been up on the race engines preferred speed position he did show that he can adapt in the American Turf when letting the speed fight it out and picking them off later. I think that ability may be key here and with a great draw you would expect him to start a hot favorite to win.

4 – Bold Intruder

Performance

• No turf starts.
• Dirt résumé includes BEL Stakes G1 2nd, Preakness G1 2nd, and strong G2/G1 efforts.
• Figures 92–98 across major dirt routes.

Work Times

• 20Jun26 PRX 1m(T) fm 1:34.4 (2/17)
• 7Apr26 PRX 1m(T) fm 1:34.1 (1/5)
• Has turf works but no turf race performance.

Jockey / Trainer Form

• Bridgmohan S X: 2026 record 305–61 (.20).
• The Sidley Stud: 2026 record 1412–221 (.16).

Trip Pattern

• Dirt trips show mid‑pack early, moving steadily forward late.

SUMMARY

For a horse that has been heralded as a possible turf star it is a testament to his ability that this is his first ever turf start. Beaten a head in the Preakness and a nose in the BEL he is possibly the stand out here even if he doesn’t have the sort of turf form that a horse like Reign Supreme has. I guess the only thing that may be considered a downside is the fact that he ran in all three TC races and sometimes that can be tough for a three year old. Fatigue may be the only thing that can stop him winning.

5 – Stormy Knight

Performance

• Turf record: 3 wins, 2 seconds from 7 starts.
• 2026 figures 90–100, including G3 2nd (PEN Mile).
• Trips show consistent tracking position, often 3rd–5th early.

Work Times

• 27Jun26 AQU 6f(T) fm 1:09.4 (5/33)
• 10May26 AQU 6f(T) fm 1:09.4 (1/11)
• Strong, repeated fast turf works.

Jockey / Trainer Form

• Fresu A: 2026 record 274–49 (.18).
• Mb Stables: 1322–349 (.26).

Trip Pattern

• Sits mid‑pack, maintains position, finishes steadily.

SUMMARY

As if the stable needs any more help in a $750 race they get three horses inside the top five gates and three very good winning chances. Behind his stable companion in both the American Turf and the PEN Mile he definitely improved between the two races and this being HRP could easily turn the tables today.

6 – Ruthless Tactics

Performance

• Turf record: 1 win, 2 seconds, 1 third from 6 starts.
• Best figure 96 at this exact distance (1⅛m).
• Trips show close tracking, often 2–4 lengths behind early.

Work Times

• 8Apr26 AQU 1m(T) fm 1:35.1 (1/6)
• 29Mar26 AQU 1m(T) fm 1:35.4 (2/6)
• Consistent turf stamina works.

Jockey / Trainer Form

• Gaffalione T: 2026 record 318–55 (.17).
• TwinTowersRacing: 2026 record 1601–165 (.10).

Trip Pattern

• Typically sits 2nd–4th early, maintains position, moderate finishing kick.

SUMMARY

Well I know better than most that you can never write this stable off in a big race even if they don’t look to have the best horse. His last effort in a CD Allowance was dominant and whilst he has yet to even run in a stakes race he could be the sort to cause a surprise if there is one in this race.

7 – Kuykendahl

Performance

• Turf record: 5 wins, 1 third from 9 starts.
• 2026 includes G3 win (Pen Ridge) with figure 98.
• Trips show mid‑pack early, strong finishing acceleration.

Work Times

• 14Jun26 LS 6f(T) fm 1:10 (1/4)
• 21Apr26 LS 6f(T) fm 1:09.3 (1/2)
• All turf works fast.

Jockey / Trainer Form

• Prat F: 2026 record 90–10 (.11).
• Luz International: 2026 record 980–196 (.20).

Trip Pattern

• Typically sits 4–7 lengths back, finishes strongly.

SUMMARY

He was well back in the American Turf but that effort can be forgiven considering the car park draw he was handed by the draw monster. He was back to his best with a  decent draw in the Pennine Ridge on this course winning in the same time as the American Turf was won in in which he ran five lengths back. Those two efforts really do show that the horses are so similar and draw and trip, jockey and pace can be the only real difference between them in the end. On his last effort he will be a contender.

8 – Gaelic Commander

Performance

• Turf record: 5 wins, 1 second, 1 third from 8 starts.
• 2026 includes G1 3rd (American Turf) and strong 1⅛m form.
• Trips show deep closing pattern: often 10+ lengths back early.

Work Times

• 28Jun26 SAR 7f(T) fm 1:22.3 (1/2)
• 23May26 CD 7f(T) fm 1:22.1 (1/1)
• Repeated fast long turf works.

Jockey / Trainer Form

• Velazquez J R: 2026 record 476–125 (.26).
• High Voltage: 2026 record 119–17 (.14).

Trip Pattern

• Deep closer; consistently far back early, strong late movement.

SUMMARY

The trainer found the magic gaming buttons or the race engine just decided to change his running style but either way his win in the Audubon last time was absolutely dominant. Maybe another example of how the draw can influence a running style and a result he may find it harder to lead so easily today but if he is allowed to he may be very hard to pull back.

Race Summary

Well a great race where all eight runners hold a winning chance. But, this is a big purse and we all know who usually wins them so it has to be an Mb horse for me.

Categories: Grade I, STAKES ARTICLES