‘Ballet’ Looking for an Encore Performance in New York

[Wandering Eyes]

Mrs. John Magnier, Michael B. Tabor, Derrick Smith and Westerberg's Bolshoi Ballet (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) returns to the scene of his most important stateside victory Saturday in Belmont's Jockey Club Derby Invitational S., a ' Win and you're In' event for the GI Breeders' Cup Turf at Del Mar.

Trained by Aidan O'Brien, Bolshoi Ballet rallied to victory in the 10-furlong GI Belmont Derby Invitational July 10, capturing the first leg of NYRA's Turf Triple series by 1 1/4-lengths. In his latest start, he lay closer to the early pace and faded to fourth in the 1 3/16-mile GI Saratoga Derby Invitational Aug. 7.

Originally slated to contest last Sunday's G2 Prix Niel at Longchamp, Bolshoi Ballet was a stewards scratch due to an irregularity with the vaccination record in his passport and subsequently redirected to New York.

“He was in France on Sunday, but we didn't run him so we decided to bring him here,” said T.J. Comerford, traveling assistant to O'Brien. “I think the wider turns suit him well. He's won here two starts back and seemed to go around here over a shorter distance. His last start was a good experience for him. He's won here and has form here, so that's always a big help.”

The colt launched his sophomore season with decisive wins in the Apr. 11 G3 Ballysax S. and the G3 Derrinstown Stud Derby Trial May 9, both 10-furlong events at Leopardstown. In his final European start this season, Bolshoi Ballet was a disappointing seventh as the beaten favorite in the G1 Epsom Derby June 5.

“He won at a mile and a quarter here, so that suited him but he's definitely a better horse going farther,” Comerford explained. “He ran a mile and a half in the English Derby, but got a bad cut on his leg, so he really didn't have a race. All of his wins this year were at a mile and a quarter, but he always steps up like a mile and a half horse.”

Regular rider Ryan Moore gets the call Saturday.

Representing the Boys in Blue is Yibir (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}), who enters this event off a confident score in the Aug. 18 G2 Great Voligeur S. at York. Gelded following a runner-up finish in Goodwood's Cocked Hat S. in May, he came home a winner in the July 8 G3 Trophy S. at Newmarket before finishing sixth in the July 29 G3 Gordon S. at Goodwood.

“We've always thought he had that type of talent in him,” said Chris Connett, traveling assistant to Charlie Appleby. “He's just a bit of a character hence why he's been gelded. He has phenomenal talent and when things fall right for him, he can be any kind of horse.”

A full-brother to GI Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Turf runner-up Wild Illusion (GB), the colt arrived in New York last Sunday.

“In the run at Goodwood, things just didn't go right. He got quite headstrong and he took off a little bit and did things completely the wrong way around. In the Voltigeur, James [Doyle] just was able to get him switched off and he brought himself into the race and produced a lovely effort.”

Jamie Spencer will be in the irons for the chestnut's U.S. bow.

“I think the plan will be to get cover early and carry himself into the race and make one run,” Connett said. “It's the kind of track that should suit him. It's one of the biggest galloping tracks in North America and it will suit the big horse that he is.”

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