Saratoga Derby Stakes Handicapping Picks
Horse racing gamblers are you looking for 2021 Saratoga Derby Stakes Free Pick & Handicapping Odds…plus some predictions? Need some advice on who to take? The 2021 Saratoga Derby Stakes is set for August 7 at Saratoga Race Course in Saratoga Springs, New York. Here’s a preview of our top contenders.
Saratoga Derby Stakes Preview and Prediction
- Race: Saratoga Derby Stakes
- Purse: $1 million
- Track: Saratoga Race Course
- Date: August 7
- Post Time: 5:10 PM (ET)
- Live: Saratoga Derby Stakes Odds: Click Here
2021 Saratoga Derby Stakes Handicapping
First run on the Saratoga dirt course in 1904, the original Saratoga Derby only lasted three years before being removed from the Saratoga racing calendar. It was re-launched in 2019 as an invitational race, and is now run at 1 3/16 miles on the turf.
The 2021 race has drawn a field of 11 three-year-old colts and geldings with one big favourite and lots of good betting value on the rest.
Odds listed here are provided by Bovada’s racebook.
2021 Saratoga Derby Stakes Free Pick & Handicapping: Bolshoi Ballet Race Odds: 6-4
The beaten favourite in the (Group 1) Epsom Derby in the UK, Irish-bred Bolshoi Ballet followed up that race by shipping over to the US and making an immediate impact when winning the (G1) Belmont Derby.
That was his third win in four starts in 2021, and fourth in seven career starts overall. The question for him here might concern the surface, as he has never raced on grass as firm as he’s likely to get on Saturday at Saratoga.
The superstar Irish team of Aiden O’Brien and Ryan Moore are the trainer and jockey, respectively.
2021 Saratoga Derby Stakes Free Pick & Handicapping: Cadillac Race Odds: 6-1
Another Irish bred in the field, Cadillac will also be making his second US start, as he was the fourth-place finisher in the 2020 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf event last fall at Keeneland.
He only made his 2021 debut in late June, when he won the (G3) International Stakes by a nose at the at the Curragh in Ireland. He also has a Group 2 win and runner-up finish to his name racing on his home soil, and an overall record of three wins and one second-place finish in six lifetime starts.
Jessica Harrington is the trainer, regular rider Shane Foley will be in the irons.
2021 Saratoga Derby Stakes Free Pick & Handicapping: Du Jour Race Odds: 11-2
The top US-bred in the race, Du Jour needed three starts to grab his maiden win, but has been very good since that first victory with wins in two of his last three including the (G2) American Turf Stakes at Churchill.
Last out he was fourth but only 2 1/4 lengths back of Bolshoi Ballet in the Belmont Derby. That 1 1/4 mile try was was his first time going beyond 1 1/16 miles, and he could improve with that race under his saddle.
He’s trained by Bill Mott, Joel Rosario is the jock.
2021 Saratoga Derby Stakes Free Pick & Handicapping: Cellist Race Odds: 15-2
Not raced as a two-year-old, Cellist has made five starts in 2021 at age three and has shown steady improvement from one race to the next.
Last out he tried going up against the big boys for the first time in the Belmont Derby and actually led until very late when he was passed by both Bolshoi Ballet and a horse named Tokyo Gold, settling for third by just a neck.
He has wins on turf rated both firm and good.
He’s trained by George Arnold, Julien Leparoux is the rider.
Here’s My 2021 Saratoga Derby Stakes Free Pick.
Back when they ran the Belmont Derby, I couldn’t in good conscience bet Bolshoi Ballet when he opened at even-money odds in the morning line. He was the winner on that day, but my only regret was in not having the exacta with 16-1 Tokyo Gold, as it paid nearly $40.
Once again I expect Bolshoi Ballet to be even-money at best when the gates open, and so once again I’m going to try and beat him and play Cellist for the win. As stated above I think he’s an improving colt that could take another step forward here. And I note that if the Belmont Derby had been run at the Saratoga Derby distance of 1 3/16 miles instead of 1 1/4, he would have been the winner.
Full Field: Saratoga Derby Stakes Betting Odds
(By post position)
- #1 – Soldier Rising 20-1
- #2 – Du Jour 11-2
- #3 – Palazzi 16-1
- #4 – Cadillac 6-1
- #5 – Yes This Time 40-1
- #6 – Bolshoi Ballet 6-4
- #7 – Secret Protector 10-1
- #8 – Cellist 15-2
- #9 – State Of Rest 9-1
- #10 – Flashiest 40-1
- #11 – King Fury 14-1
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