State of Rest wins Saratoga Derby

While an O’Brien-trained horse did win the Grade I Saratoga Derby Invitational on Saturday, it wasn’t Bolshoi Ballet, the colt bettors felt so strongly about that he was the even-money betting choice.

Superstar Irish trainer Aidan O’Brien sent the favorite to Saratoga Race Course, but his 28year-old son Joseph brought the winner of the $1 million race: State of Rest, who went off at 21-1 and paid $44.20. State of Rest, a son of Starspangledbanner, quickened when asked by jockey John Velazquez near the quarter pole and rolled to a one-length victory over Soldier Rising. State of Rest completed the 13⁄16 miles in 1:53.35.

Bolshoi Ballet captured the Grade I Belmont Derby Invitational, the first leg of NYRA’s Turf Triple series on July 10, and made a return trip to the U.S. for round two. Under jockey Ryan Moore he attended a very fast early pace of 21.96 seconds for the opening quarter-mile, 47.54 for the half and 1:11.88 for threequarters set by Cellist but weakened in the stretch and finished fourth.

State of Rest, competitive in most of them but winless in six straight races since his maiden victory in June 2020, was being handled patiently by the veteran Velazquez. They were in the middle of the field of 11 through the first six furlongs before moving up into contention. “I thought Johnny gave him a fantastic ride,” Joseph O’Brien said. “The pace was pretty strong. He got him comfortable and he came home strong. We knew that he would love the good track and we knew he would love getting more distance today.”

The Saratoga Derby was State of Rest’s first race beyond a mile. He raced six times as a 2-yearold. After a nearly eight-month break, he made his 2021 debut on June 26 at the Curragh, where he was third by a half-length in an ungraded stake at a mile.

“He actually was unlucky not to win the last race,” O’Brien said. “He ran a really good race. We knew that getting more distance today would suit him well.”

Velazquez said he wasn’t sure what to expect in his first ride on State of Rest.

“The horse is actually a very, very nice horse and he was not really paying attention out in the post parade, so I was a little bit worried that his mind wasn’t on the business and that’s what he did. He didn’t break very well,” Velazquez said. “I didn’t panic. I just saved all the ground, looking for somewhere to go down the stretch and when I got him out, he responded really good.”

O’Brien was a very successful jockey in Europe for six years before following his famous father into training in 2016. He quickly proved to be a gifted horseman and has already won major races in Ireland, England and France. He won the Grade I Melbourne Cup in 2017 and picked up his second victory last year. In 2019, he won the Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Turf.

According to Equibase, O’Brien won with his first starter at Saratoga. He said the Saratoga Derby was a tough test but looked to be a logical spot for the colt owned by Teme Valley.

“When he ran good the last time we were looking where we could go with him,” O’Brien said. “We thought this was a lovely spot. We thought the conditions would suit him well. Obviously, we weren’t sure how he would handle this level and he hadn’t been around turns like this before, but he handled it really well.”

O’Brien said he had been to Saratoga Springs once before for the yearling sales and was well aware of the city’s important place in racing.

“It’s fantastic to be here,” he said. “It’s the most beautiful track. Fantastic atmosphere.”

O’Brien will head back to Ireland with a perfect record at the Spa after grabbing the $550,000 winner’s share of the purse.