Tokyo Gold will try Bolshoi Ballet again in Jockey Club Derby
ELMONT, N.Y. – Satoshi Kobayashi wasn’t exactly enthused when he learned that Bolshoi Ballet was a late addition to the field for Saturday’s $1 million Jockey Club Derby Invitational at Belmont Park. Kobayashi trains Tokyo Gold, who is among eight entered in the Jockey Club Derby, a 1 1/2-mile turf race for 3-year-olds.
“What the mess,” a smiling Kobayashi said, putting a G-rated spin on an oft-uttered three-word phrase that ends with an expletive.
In July, Tokyo Gold finished second to Bolshoi Ballet in the Grade 1, $1 million Belmont Derby going 1 1/4 miles. Kobayashi is hoping that the longer distance of the Jockey Club Derby and having not raced since the Belmont Derby could help Tokyo Gold turn the tables on Bolshoi Ballet on Saturday.
The Jockey Club Derby offers the winner a fees-paid berth into the $4 million Breeders’ Cup Turf at Del Mar on Nov. 6.
Bolshoi Ballet, who arrived in New York on Tuesday, was a late scratch from the Prix Niel at Longchamp on Sunday due to an issue relating to timing of his equine influenza vaccination. Bolshoi Ballet, trained by Aidan O’Brien, most recently finished fourth in the Saratoga Derby last month.
Following the Belmont Derby, Kobayashi shipped Tokyo Gold back to Chantilly in France where he is based and gave him three weeks off before the horse resumed training in early August.
“He’s fresh mentally and physically,” Kobayashi said.
Kobayashi felt Tokyo Gold had too much to do in the Belmont Derby when he was last of nine early under John Velazquez.
“Velazquez didn’t know this horse,” Kobayashi said. “Even he admitted after the race he wanted better position.”
The field for the Jockey Club Derby includes another European-based runner in Yibir, who is coming off a Group 2 win at York for trainer Charlie Appleby.
The Jockey Club Derby field, from the rail out, is Tango Tango Tango, Yibir, Tokyo Gold, Solider Rising, Step Dancer, Experienced, Slicked Back, and Bolshoi Ballet.
Bolshoi Ballet was scheduled to clear quarantine on Thursday and will be able to train Friday at Belmont.