NYRA Press Office
ELMONT, N.Y.— King Power Racing’s The Foxes didn’t break well from the gate under Oisin Murphy in his North American debut but rallied stoutly down the lane to finish second, one length back of the victorious Far Bridge in Saturday’s Grade 1, $750,000 Belmont Derby Invitational.
Maddy O’Meara, traveling assistant for trainer Andrew Balding, said she was proud of the effort from The Foxes.
“He flew home. We were just slow out the stalls which put him in that bad position,” O’Meara said. “He got a bit stuck for room and then made his run. A couple more meters and he would have got there.”
O’Meara said The Foxes, who exited the race in good order, will return to Balding’s yard in England on Tuesday.
“He ate up last night, jogged up fine and had a pick of grass. He’s happy,” O’Meara said.
The Foxes could now come under consideration for the 10-furlong Group 1 Juddmonte International on August 23 at York or a return trip to New York for the Grade 1, $600,000 Saratoga Derby Invitational going 1 3/16 miles on August 5 at Saratoga Race Course. The Saratoga Derby will offer the winner an automatic berth into the Group 1, $AUD 5 million Ladbrokes Cox Plate to be held on October 28 at Moonee Valley Racing Club in Victoria, Australia.
