Decorated Invader, Gufo being pointed to Saratoga Derby

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – For now, trainer Christophe Clement plans to point both Decorated Invader and Gufo to the $500,000 Saratoga Derby on Aug. 15, but he will evaluate how both are training and look at the bevy of other options before committing both to the 1 3/16-mile turf race.

On Saturday, Decorated Invader passed his first distance test when he won the Grade 2 National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame Stakes at 1 1/8 miles by 1 1/4 lengths. It was his third victory in as many starts this year, the other two coming at one mile.

“I thought his last sixteenth of a mile in the race was probably his best sixteenth of a mile, so knowing we ran him a mile and an eighth yesterday as of now you’d have to believe he would stay,” Clement said Sunday morning.

Decorated Invader, a son of Declaration of War, has won 5 of 7 starts, including three in a row. He earned a 90 Beyer Speed Figure for the performance.

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Gufo was entered in the Hall of Fame Stakes as an option, but Clement scratched him with an eye toward the Saratoga Derby. Gufo has won four consecutive starts, including the Grade 3 Kent on July 4 at Delaware Park. Gufo has won twice at 1 1/8 miles and has done his best running late in his races.

“Gufo stays for sure,” Clement said. “Every single race his last sixteenth is his best sixteenth.”

The Saratoga Derby on Aug. 15 is one of several options for 3-year-olds on turf in late summer or early fall. There is the $200,000 Virginia Derby at 1 1/8 miles on Sept. 1 at Colonial Downs, the Grade 2, $500,000 American Turf at 1 1/16 miles on Sept. 5 at Churchill Downs, the Grade 2, $200,000 Del Mar Derby at 1 1/8 miles on Sept. 6 at Del Mar, and the $750,000 Dueling Grounds Derby at 1 5/16 miles on Sept. 10 at Kentucky Downs.

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Clement also is awaiting release of the Belmont fall stakes schedule to see when the Belmont Derby, previously run at the Belmont spring/summer meet at 1 1/4 miles, will be scheduled.

About an hour before Decorated Invader won, Clement sent out the 2-year-old Momos to a 6 1/2-length victory in a 5 1/2-furlong dirt race. Momos ran the distance in 1:04.50 and received a 75 Beyer Speed Figure.

Clement was non-committal on where Momos, a Kentucky-bred son of Distorted Humor, would make his next start.

“Let’s enjoy it for a day or two, then we’ll make a plan,” Clement said. “He’s fast. We won one going long on turf and short on dirt, that’s what you call a good day.”