Appleby duo chase G1 honours at Aqueduct

Legend Of Time continues his US adventure in the G1 Belmont Derby at Aqueduct on Saturday, 6 July, with Cinderella’s Dream contesting the G1 Belmont Oaks on the same card.

Both Charlie Appleby-trained contenders enjoyed fruitful campaigns in Dubai earlier this year, with Legend Of Time’s three straight victories culminating with an impressive display in the Listed Jumeirah Classic.

After fading to fifth on his stateside debut in the G2 American Turf Stakes at Churchill Downs, Legend Of Time bounced back with a last-to-first success in the G2 Pennine Ridge Stakes at Aqueduct on 25 May.

Cinderella’s Dream stretches beyond a mile for the first time, having kept on to finish seventh in the G1 1,000 Guineas at Newmarket on 5 May.

The Shamardal homebred was unbeaten in her four previous starts, including a remarkable win in the Listed Jumeirah 1,000 Guineas, in which she scored by five and a half lengths despite her jockey riding without irons from halfway.

Charlie Appleby said: “Legend Of Time has trained well since the Pennine Ridge, which is generally a good trial for the Belmont Derby. He is reopposing some of the same horses and, on the back of that win, you would be confident that he is the one they have to beat. Stepping up in trip another half a furlong will suit him as well.

“Cinderella’s Dream is having her first start in America, but her preparation has gone well and she has adapted nicely to training over there. Her pedigree and run style suggest that the step up in trip should suit, and while it looks another competitive field, she does not look out of place.”

Prevalence looks to follow up two good efforts as he steps back up to seven furlongs for the G2 John A. Nerud Stakes.

Successful over the distance in the 2022 G3 Commonwealth Stakes at Keeneland, the son of Medaglia d’Oro has been kept to shorter distances in 2024 by Brendan Walsh.

After getting off the mark for the year in a six-furlong allowance optional claimer at Keeneland in April, the six-year-old stayed on to take second in the G3 Maryland Sprint Stakes at Pimlico on 18 May.

Michael Banahan, Director of Bloodstock, Godolphin USA, said: “Brendan has been very happy with Prevalence since his second in the G3 Maryland Sprint. He gets to run in a short field and should be very competitive. The leading rider in the US, Irad Ortiz, was very happy to retain the ride, which is positive. Prevalence should be able to get a nice position drawn three, as he prefers not to be down on the inside. We are very hopeful for a good effort.”