Mo Stash set the pace once again in the American Derby, this time on his terms, but it wasn’t enough to hold off Wadsworth, one of the newcomers to the list. In fact, Wadsworth is one of four newcomers to the list, among them overall number two The Foxes, who finished second in the Grade 1 Belmont Derby.

Here is the newest edition of the Turf 10 with the trainer, jockey of last start, and owner listed with the previous edition’s ranking next to the horse (NR=Not Ranked).

1.       FAR BRIDGE (6)

T. Pletcher, J. Ortiz, Lawrence Sarf

In the biggest three-year-old turf race of the year so far, the stretch run of Far Bridge finally cashed. After displaying his talent in the Pennine Ridge and American Turf, when each time he finished within a length of the winner, this time he got the money. The Belmont Derby win was a reunion with jockey Jose Ortiz, who delivered his previous victory at Gulfstream in March.  The breeding doesn’t get more Virginia Derby than an English Channel colt out of a Kitten’s Joy mare, Fitpitcher, but the $600,000 Saratoga Derby (G1) on August 4 is next.

2.       THE FOXES (NR)

A. Baldwin; O. Murphy; King Power Racing Co. Ltd

At the window and on the track, Irish-bred The Foxes made a significant first impression in the United States, rallying from near-last (only ahead of Webslinger at one point) to slip up along the inside and nearly win the Belmont Derby.  While he headed back to England on July 11, he’s expected to be back for either a rematch with Far Bridge in the Saratoga Derby or the Juddmonte International abroad.

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3.       WEBSLINGER (1)

M. Casse, J. Castellano; D.J.Stable LLC.

In a division with little separation among contenders, perhaps it was fortune and his first start at Belmont Park that knocked him off the winning ways he’s exhibited this spring.  Chart callers acknowledge a number of bumps and wide runs in his Belmont Derby trip, where he started last of eleven starters.  Still, he rallied for fourth.  Not sure that we’ve heard the last of him.

4.       MORE THAN LOOKS (NR)

C. DeVaux; J. Velazquez; Victory Racing Partners

Might be easy to say that More Than Looks stole the scene, but everything was there in the past performances to suggest that the Manila win shouldn’t be called a shocker. Nagirroc and Talk of the Nation set quick early fractions (22.65 then 22.88) while More Than Looks was running last, which created a perfect scenario for this one to unleash his late run, which he did to a 1 1/2-length victory. Don’t discount the lead duo, either, who stayed on for second and third.

5.       TALK OF THE NATION (NR)

C. McGaughey; Ortiz, J.; Allen Stable, Inc et. al.

Back in the Turf Ten after being excluded after the bizarre pre-race scratch in the American Turf and heartbreaking loss to Boppy O in the Jersey Derby. Being the second-place finisher in the Manila may not be eyecatching, but he prevailed in a testy duel with Nagirroc before More Than Looks spoiled the party on the outside. Wonder if Ortiz on the other side of Nagirroc knew the winner was coming. Either way, a big effort, and fortunes could be turning for the Quality Road colt.

6.       NAGIRROC (2)

G. Motion; F. Prat; Madaket Stables LLC et. al.

Could the blinkers be coming off in Nagirroc’s next start?  A nearly predictable bounce was likely after Nagirroc reset Pimlico’s course record in the James Murphy. Nagirroc had certainly seen quicker opening quarters before but not faster half miles as he did in the Manila, and he led after six furlongs in an insane 1:08.85. He was the favorite for his fourth consecutive start.

7.       WADSWORTH (NR)

B. Cox; F. Geroux; Godolphin, LLC

After showing some promise earlier this spring with wins on Turfway’s synthetic, Godolphin’s Quality Road gelding broke through on the turf in the American Derby at Ellis Park on July 1, delivering as the favorite. Despite Mo Stash setting adequate fractions, Wadsworth was able to grind the frontrunner by a comfortable length.

8.       MAJOR DUDE (5)

T. Pletcher; I. Ortiz, Jr.; Spendthrift Farm, LLC et. al.

Perhaps just not his day in the Manila at Belmont where he just sort of hung to finish fourth but remember: this is a Grade 2 and 3 winner on the turf and ran second in the Jeff Rudy Stakes won by Two Phil’s.  It was the first time in five starts that Major Dude didn’t finish in the top three, but he has rebounded after disappointment at least twice so far in his young career.

9.       MO STASH (4)

V. Oliver; L. Saez; BBN Racing, LLC

Despite having his biggest triumph at a mile and a sixteenth over Webslinger and Nagirroc in the Transylvania, perhaps the extra sixteenth catches up with Mo Stash more than anyone else. Still a very talented colt who could find the mile more satisfying. In the American Derby, he ran virtually unopposed on the lead but couldn’t fend off Wadsworth late.

10.   BEHIND ENEMY LINES (7)

J. Sisterson; F. Prat; Rockingham Ranch et. al.

Had to drop Behind Enemy Lines with all the three-year old turf racing happening the first week of July, but Sisterson’s colt is now up at Saratoga, where he may become next month’s Far Bridge. Potential may have started to convert into performance in the Penn Mile, where he ran second to Major Dude. The English-bred seems to be growing on the Saratoga turf in the mornings.