Date: Friday, July 4, 2025
Track: Saratoga Race Course, Saratoga Springs, NY
Race: Race 9 | Distance: 1 1/8 Miles (Turf)
Purse: $750,000 | Eligibility: 3-Year-Olds
Post Time: 5:45 PM ET
Race Overview
The Belmont Derby Invitational Stakes (G1), traditionally held at Belmont Park, makes its Saratoga debut in 2025 due to Belmont’s ongoing renovations. This prestigious turf event for 3-year-olds has drawn a deep and international field of eight, including Kentucky Derby alumni, European imports, and rising turf stars. With a $750,000 purse and Grade 1 status, this race is a key stepping stone toward the Saratoga Derby and Breeders’ Cup Turf.
Full Field Analysis
| PP | Horse | Jockey | Trainer | Pedigree | Morning Line |
| 1 | Tank | Luis Saez | Carlos David | Adios Charlie – Vegas Baby | 12-1 |
| 2 | Early Adopter (GB) | Jose Ortiz | Chad Brown | Lope de Vega – Silk Sari | 12-1 |
| 3 | Luther (GB) | Kieran Shoemark | Charlie Fellowes | Frankel – Give And Take | 6-1 |
| 4 | New Century (GB) | Oisin Murphy | Brendan Walsh | Kameko – Potent Embrace | 3-1 |
| 5 | Test Score | Manny Franco | Graham Motion | Lookin At Lucky – Joy of Learning | 4-1 |
| 6 | Final Gambit | Flavien Prat | Brad Cox | Not This Time – Pachinko (Tapit) | 5-2 (Fav) |
| 7 | World Beater | Jaime Torres | Riley Mott | Oscar Performance – Dabinett | 10-1 |
| 8 | Flying Mohawk | SCRATCHED | D. Whitworth Beckman | Karakontie – Bonbons Fleur | — |
Pedigree & Performance Insights
Final Gambit (PP6)
Pedigree: By Not This Time, out of a Tapit mare—blends stamina and class.
Form: Winner of the G3 Jeff Ruby Steaks; 4th in the Kentucky Derby.
Note: Returns to turf for the first time since debut; owns the field’s top Beyer (98).
Test Score (PP5)
Pedigree: Lookin At Lucky colt out of a Kitten’s Joy mare.
Form: G3 Transylvania winner; runner-up in the G1 American Turf.
Trainer: Graham Motion won this race in 2024 with Trikari.
New Century (PP4)
Pedigree: Kameko colt with a strong European foundation.
Form: G1 Summer Stakes winner; 3rd in the American Turf.
Note: Trained by Brendan Walsh; gets top Euro rider Oisin Murphy.
Luther (PP3)
Pedigree: By Frankel, out of a G2-winning mare.
Form: 4th in the French 2000 Guineas; 15th in the French Derby.
Note: Classy Euro invader with upside on firm ground.
Pace & Tactical Breakdown
Front Runners: Tank, World Beater
Stalkers: Final Gambit, Test Score
Closers: New Century, Luther, Early Adopter
Expect a moderate pace, with Tank likely to set the tempo. Final Gambit and Test Score should get ideal stalking trips, while New Century and Luther will look to unleash late kicks down the Saratoga stretch.
