Trikari scores thrilling upset, wins by a nose in Belmont Derby

Trikari stalked a slow pace before accelerating in the
second turn en route to a narrow upset victory Saturday in the Grade 1, $750,000
Belmont Derby Invitational on the turf at Aqueduct.

Owned by Jerry and Joan Amerman and trained by Graham
Motion, the 3-year-old Oscar Performance colt responded to jockey John Velázquez’s
urging with about three furlongs left in the 1 3/16-mile race.

Click here for Belmont at the Big A entries and results.

Taking the two path into the homestretch, Trikari (5-1) drew
even to the outside of pacesetter White Palomino (5-1) while post-time favorite
Legend of Time (3-2) found himself hemmed in behind them along the rail.

Trikari extended his lead to about a neck in the final 100
yards. White Palomino answered but came up a head short at the wire to finish
second. Legend of Time, who won the Pennine Ridge (G2) on May 25 at Aqueduct for
England-based Godolphin trainer Charlie Appleby, was 1 1/4 lengths up the track
in third. Royal Majesty (7-1) was another half-length behind and took fourth. Endlessly
(8-5), also owned by the Amermans, was a non-factor finishing last, losing by
3 1/2 lengths.

The winning time was 1:54.71 on a course rated firm. Early
fractions were 25.00, 50.24, 1:14.56 and 1:37.79. Trikari paid $12.40, $5.10
and $2.60; White Palomino $4.20 and $2.90; and Legend of Time $2.20.

Bought for $27,500 in October 2022 at an OBS yearling sale, Trikari
added $412,500 from Saturday’s win to bring his purse earnings to $996,630. He ran
his record to 7: 4-1-1, including a victory in the American Turf (G2) on the
Kentucky Derby undercard. Trikari finished a close third last out May 31 in the
Penn Mile (G3) at Parx Racing.

This story will be updated with Matt Shifman’s report from
Aqueduct.