SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Far Bridge and Webslinger have traded decisions in their two meetings this year. Saturday, they meet again as part of a nine-horse field that includes a filly in the Grade 1, $600,000 Saratoga Derby scheduled for 1 3/16 miles on turf. Webslinger, at 22-1, beat Far Bridge a nose in the Grade 2 American Turf at Churchill Downs on May 6. Far Bridge, at 3-1, flipped the script when they met again in the Grade 1 Belmont Derby, winning by one length over The Foxes with Webslinger finishing fourth, beaten 1 1/2 lengths. Far Bridge, equipped with a new Houghton bit for the Belmont Derby that gave the rider more control of the horse, ran a truer race, and took advantage of an inside path that developed in the lane while Webslinger had to swing six wide for the drive. “I think it helped,” trainer Todd Pletcher said of the equipment change. “Felt like we lost the Pennine Ridge in the middle of the far turn and won the Belmont Derby in the middle of the far turn. Doesn’t mean it’s going to happen again, but we’ll stick with that equipment.” :: DRF's 2023 Saratoga headquarters: Previews, past performances, picks, recaps, news, and more. There is rain forecast Friday that could leave the course with some give in it Saturday. Pletcher trained Far Bridge’s sire, English Channel, who was successful over soft ground, including in the 2007 Breeders’ Cup Turf at soggy Monmouth Park. “You never know until you run on it but you’d think he’d handle soft,” Pletcher said. Jose Ortiz rides Far Bridge from post 5. In the Belmont Derby, Webslinger bobbled entering the first turn and found himself last of 11. Despite a slow pace, he came with strong, albeit wide rally and got beat only 1 1/2 lengths. “I think Webslinger is a really talented horse,” trainer Mark Casse said. “He got shuffled back in the Belmont Derby, then had to come extremely wide. He just shows up every time. He got beat four lengths in the Breeders’ Cup [Juvenile Turf] and he had a trip from hell.” Javier Castellano rides Webslinger from post 6. An interesting addition to this field is the filly Aspen Grove, who was entered in Friday’s Grade 3 Saratoga Oaks, but who will run here instead. The allure of a Grade 1 and a richer pot were two of the reasons her connections opted to face the boys. An equally important reason is how well she seems to be doing since her 15-1 upset score in the Grade 1 Belmont Oaks last month. “She’s in the form of her life,” said Mark Enright, who has previously ridden Aspen Grove in races but now is her exercise rider and the assistant to trainer James Stack. “Maybe I’m biased but my opinion is she’s definitely improved from Belmont.” Enright noted that Aspen Grove is a happier horse being around horses in a regular barn at Saratoga. “She was in the quarantine barn at Belmont, on her own. I don’t think it was for her,” Enright said. “Since she’s been here with horses around her, she’s been loving it.” Oisin Murphy would have ridden Aspen Grove in the Oaks, but he is a contract rider for Qatar Racing, which has Lion of War in the Derby. John Velazquez has picked up the mount on Aspen Grove. Program Trading is 2 for 2 for trainer Chad Brown, who felt the ridgling’s 2 1/4-length victory in a first-level allowance race at Belmont was good enough to point for this 1 3/16-mile race. “He always trained like a good horse. He got a little bit of a late start in his career. We’re trying to catch up,” Brown said. “He ran a big race and he deserves to be in there.” :: Get Saratoga Clocker Reports from Mike Welsch and the Clocker Team. Available every race day.  Mondego set a pedestrian pace in the Bemont Derby and held on to be third, beaten one length. He projects for a similar front-running trip from the rail under Joel Rosario. Trainer Joseph O’Brien won the 2021 Saratoga Derby with State of Rest. He’s back this year with The Franchise, an Irish-bred colt who is coming off his first win from five career starts on June 30 at The Curragh. Battle of Normandy and Truly Quality complete the field. :: Want to learn more about handicapping and wagering? Check out DRF's Handicapping 101 and Wagering 101 pages.