Legend of Time has a lot going for him in Pennine Ridge Stakes

Legend of Time will have a handful of key variables in his favor Saturday, when the European runner takes on the consistent Triple Espresso and the promising Risk Tolerance in the Grade 2, $200,000 Pennine Ridge at the Belmont meet at Aqueduct.

The race, which is for 3-year-olds, will be run over 1 1/8 miles on the outer turf. The first three finishers in the field of seven will earn an invitation to the Grade 1, $750,000 Belmont Derby on July 6, according to the New York Racing Association.

Legend of Time is the lone stakes winner in the field – and he is returning to the distance of that win in the Pennine Ridge. He has compiled more career wins than any of his rivals with a 4-for-6 record and his natural speed might give him a tactical advantage in a race that appears to be somewhat lacking in pace.

Legend of Time’s cause is furthered by his notable pedigree. He’s a son of Sea The Stars and the stakes-winning mare Kissable, whose foals include Group 1 winner Loving Dream.

Legend of Time won the $217,800 Jumeirah Classic at an about a mile and an eighth on the grass March 2 at Meydan. It capped a string of three wins at the Dubai track for the Godolphin-owned, Charles Appleby-trained runner, who began his career with a debut win in his native England.

In his U.S. debut, the May 4 American Turf at Churchill Downs, Legend of Time shortened up to 1 1/16 miles and was prominent over good ground, tracking the pace in second before finishing fifth as the favorite.

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The speed Legend of Time showed in the race suggests he will again be prominent early, perhaps showing the way on the move back out in distance or tracking the rail-drawn White Palomino.

Joel Rosario has the mount on Legend of Time from post 2.

Triple Espresso is moving back to turf after closing from next to last for fourth in the Grade 3 Jeff Ruby Steaks over the synthetic track at Turfway Park on March 23. The race’s third-place finisher, Seize the Grey, returned to win both the Grade 2 Pat Day Mile at Churchill and the Preakness Stakes.

Triple Espresso won a maiden race on turf at Gulfstream Park in January. He was stakes-placed at the time, having finished second last September in his career debut, the Kitten’s Joy at Colonial Downs. Triple Espresso races for Repole Stable and St. Elias Stables and is a half-brother to multiple stakes winner Wyatt’s Town.

Irad Ortiz Jr. has the mount from post 7 for trainer Todd Pletcher.

Risk Tolerance was a debut winner over 1 1/16 miles on turf in an April 21 maiden special weight at Aqueduct in a strong time of 1:41.40. The Beyer Speed Figure of 83 he earned is the best last-race turf Beyer in the Pennine Ridge.

Risk Tolerance stalked the pace in his debut. The son of Kingman and the Group 3-winning mare Loving Things will break from post 3. Manny Franco has the mount for Klaravich Stables and trainer Chad Brown.

Royal Majesty is a son of Frankel and the Grade 1-winning mare Crown Queen.

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