Jessica Harrington's horse, Hotazhell, aims for a prestigious Grade One victory in the $750,000 Saratoga Derby, an American event.
In the world of horse racing, expectations are high for Hotazhell, a multiple Group 1 winner in Europe, as the colt trained by Irish trainer Jessica Harrington competes in the $750,000 (€649,000) Saratoga Derby. The horse, with Shane Foley in the saddle, finished fourth in the race, just off the board behind World Beater, Juwelier (IRE), and Test Score.
Hotazhell, the mutuel favourite, showed determination and a solid late rally, indicating good chances in top-level turf races moving forward. Trainer Harrington had positioned the horse to take advantage of the likely pace setup in the race.
Meanwhile, at the Galway festival, Harrington has several runners. Teed Up, another of her horses, is competing in the BoyleSports Handicap Hurdle. Teed Up, who won a flat race at Galway on Wednesday, overcame serious interference, and Princess Child, given a chance to go one better in a Listed contest at Galway after being unlucky over the course and distance on Thursday, are among the contenders.
Dunum, a stable star of Natalia Lupini, is competing in the Ahonoora Handicap at Galway. Dunum, who won the Ahonoora Handicap in 2023, was raised 7lbs for his narrow victory over Bear Profit and may find the shorter trip challenging.
Local odds for Hotazhell in the Saratoga Derby are as short as 7/5. Another local hope, Tiztastic, won the Louisiana Derby on dirt earlier this year. Adrian Murray's Tiberius Thunder, with Frankie Dettori as the jockey, will also compete in the Saratoga Derby.
Joseph O'Brien's State Of Rest won the Saratoga Derby in 2021, but he has no overseas interests on Saturday beyond Goodwood. Goodie Two Shoes, a JP McManus-owned mare, will compete in the Group Two Lillie Langtry Stakes at Goodwood for O'Brien.
Elsewhere, Toll Stone, Emmet Mullins's sole entry in the preceding hurdle at Galway, failed to perform in Monday night's amateur highlight and is given another chance. Action, a Ballydoyle colt and a half-brother to Lambourn, made his debut at the Curragh and finished behind two stable companions.
In a separate incident, Ronan Whelan received a 10-day ban for careless riding in Teed Up's race on Wednesday.
Sports spectacularly collide at Galway and Saratoga, as horses from both racing realms vie for victory. Teed Up, under the tutelage of Jessica Harrington like Hotazhell, attempts to repeat his Galway flat win in the BoyleSports Handicap Hurdle, while horse-racing elite Hotazhell, aiming to solidify his top-level turf dominance, contests the $750,000 Saratoga Derby.
