Legend of Time seeks first G1 score in $750K Belmont Derby Invitational

Godolphin’s British homebred Legend of Time will look to double up on graded scores in Saturday’s Grade 1, $750,000 Belmont Derby Invitational, a 1 3/16-mile outer turf test for sophomores each assigned 122 pounds, at Belmont at the Big A.

Trained by Charlie Appleby, the Sea The Stars colt overcame a bobbled start to rally from last-of-6 and win the nine-furlong Grade 2 Pennine Ridge here last out by a head over the pacesetting White Palomino with Royal Majesty 1 1/4-lengths back in third. The top-three finishers of the Pennine Ridge each received an automatic invite to Saturday’s rematch in the Belmont Derby.

Legend of Time enjoyed a profitable winter at Meydan Racecourse, winning the seven-furlong Jumeirah Guineas Trial in January, the one-mile Jumeirah Guineas in February and the nine-furlong Jumeirah Classic in March. William Buick was aboard for the Meydan scores and returns to the irons here Saturday from the inside post.

Legend of Time made his stateside debut in the Grade 2 American Turf on the May 4 Kentucky Derby Day card with 156,710 fans in attendance at Churchill Downs where he pressed the pace and finished fifth in a race won by returning rival Trikari.

“Legend of Time has had his two starts there. It was a huge learning experience at Churchill. Obviously, hindsight is great, but the start on Kentucky Derby Day probably wasn’t ideal for him; very challenging,” Appleby said. “He took plenty of experience from it and then acquitted himself well there in the Pennine Ridge, which we know is a trial into this race. I feel he’s come forward again. He’s a horse who’s got the experience and I feel he’s got the class to be able to be a big player on Saturday.”

Bred in Great Britain by Lordship Stud and Sunderland Holding, Legend of Time was a $174,613 purchase at the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale and is out of the graded stakes-placed Danehill Dancer mare Kissable, who also produced Grade 1-placed Amandine.