Third time’s the charm? After being rescheduled twice due to rain, the Grade I Saratoga Derby Invitational Stakes is slated to start as the last race on Saratoga’s Sunday card. Pushed from Saturday along with the Grade I Fourstardave which precedes it in the tenth race, this turf route for three year olds remains with an evenly-matched field of eight. With no major standout, this edition of the Derby holds plenty of betting opportunity as well as a chance for these up and comers to separate themselves in their division. Hopefully, these talented runners will finally reach the starting gate and battle it out over the Saratoga main turf course.

After the initial rescheduling a week ago, a few new runners were able to enter into the Saratoga Derby, including Maryland bred Fulmineo. Starting as the five horse, this colt by Bolt d’Oro – Starr of Quality, by First Dude has been waiting patiently for his opportunity in graded company after back to back stakes wins. Arnaud Delacour conditions Fulmineo and has him primed to stretch out from eight furlongs to the rare mile and three-sixteenths distance here. Typically a late finisher, the added distance may not be an issue, as Fulmineo has closed well even with little pace in his recent tries. What certainly won’t be an issue is the wet turf surface, as both of his last two wins came on soft conditions. As the lone runner who has won on a soft track, this 10/1 morning line long shot may have a leg up in one area even if he hasn’t faced this caliber since the fall. Still, the step up back into a grade I is still steep, and will take some improvement to be a winner here. Even if Fulmineo isn’t able to cross the wire first for his owners Starlight Racing and Mark B. Grier, his strong record in the money demonstrates his consistency and should give him a good chance for a positive finish. Bred by Country Life Farm & Starr of Quality LLC, Fulmineo will be guided by the streaking Tyler Gaffalione who is nipping on the heels of Flavian Prat and Irad Ortiz Jr. in the jockey standings this meet.

CHECK OUT THE LATEST OFF TO THE RACES RADIO!