Dozen Europeans invited to Belmont Derby, Oaks

Twelve European-based horses were among the 28 3-year-olds who were offered invitations to the inaugural $1.25 million Belmont Derby and $1 million Belmont Oaks. Both Grade 1 races, which could each have as many as 14 horses, are scheduled for 1 1/4 miles on turf and will be run at Belmont on July 5.

In the Belmont Derby, formerly the Jamaica, the Kentucky-bred but England-based Toast of New York heads the list of European runners. Toast of New York has not run since winning the UAE Derby at Meydan on March 29. The other European-based runners offered invitations to the Belmont Derby were Shifting Power, runner-up in the 2000 Guineas; Gailo Chop, a two-time Group 3 winner in France; Pornichet; and God Willing.

The U.S.-based prospective starters include Gala Award and Flamboyant, the one-two finishers in the Pennine Ridge here on Memorial Day; Bobby’s Kitten and Global View, the one-two finishers from the Penn Mile on May 31; Dance With Fate and Medal Count, the one-two finishers from the Blue Grass; and Can’tstopbelieving, Mr Speaker and Tourist.

Flying Jib and Goldy Espony, Group 3 stakes winners in Ireland and France, respectively, head the list of 3-year-old fillies issued invitations to the Belmont Oaks, which is a Win and You’re In race for the Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Turf. Other Europeans offered invites were Veda, Wonderfully, Xcellence, Eastern Belle, Hug and a Kiss, and Lahinch Classics.

The U.S.-based fillies pointing to the race, which used to be run as the Garden City, include Rosalind, who stumbled and unseated jockey Kieren Fallon at the start of Friday’s Coronation Stakes at Royal Ascot; Room Service, winner of the Grade 1 American Oaks and Grade 1 Ashland; My Conquestadory, winner of last year’s Grade 1 Alcibiades; Sea Queen, winner of the Wonder Again Stakes; as well as Diversify Harbor and Minorette.