Saratoga Derby Returns as a Qualifier for Ladbrokes Cox Plate

[Wandering Eyes]

For the second consecutive year, the winner of the $600,000 GI Saratoga Derby Invitational at Saratoga Race Course Aug. 3 will receive an invitation to the A$5 million G1 Ladbrokes Cox Plate at Moonee Valley in Melbourne, Australia, according to a New York Racing Association release Monday.

The winning connections of this year's Saratoga Derby, which was established in 2019 and is contested over 1 3/16 miles [1900 meters], will be afforded an automatic berth into the 2024 Ladbrokes Cox Plate, with subsidies for transportation and accommodation.

In 2021, Joseph O'Brien became the first trainer to achieve the double with globetrotting State of Rest (Ire), who won the Saratoga Derby before venturing to Melbourne to win the Cox Plate. State of Rest later won the G1 Prix Ganay in France and the G1 Prince of Wales's Stakes at Royal Ascot.

“When assessing the strength of the Ladbrokes Cox Plate in recent years, there is a very definitive correlation between international participation, strong race ratings and strong wagering numbers,” said Moonee Valley Racing Club's Head of Racing, Charlotte Mills. “The Saratoga Derby brings together a talented contingent of northern hemisphere three-year-olds each year, and we are hoping to see more of them follow the path paved by Joseph O'Brien and State of Rest.”

Entries for the 1 Saratoga Derby will be taken on Sunday, July 28.

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