Put it on a Postcard It was a picture-perfect maiden voyage across the Atlantic for Title Role (GB), who came out on top in Saturday’s $750,000 Belmont Derby (G1T) at Saratoga. Competing under Hall of Fame rider John Velazquez, the 3-year-old son of Too Darn Hot (GB)–Valiant Girl (GB) fended off a late challenge from 5-1 foe West End Kid to reach the wire a nose clear. Trained by Simon Crisford for an ownership group led by Will Stroud, Title Role’s first victory outside the United Kingdom elevated him to 5-1-1 from eight starts lifetime ($727,945). At 7-1, he paid $16.68. Surprised to See Me? History repeated itself in the co-main event on Saratoga’s 4th of July card, as fellow UK-shipper Kensington Lane (IRE) delivered a stunner in the $600,000 Belmont Oaks (G1T). Sent off at 23-1 for trainer Donnacha O’Brien, the sophomore daughter of Starspangledbanner (AUS)–Almost Always (IRE) took control at the half and held firm to finish a 1 ¾-length winner. Owned by Agave Racing Stable, Medallion Racing, and Evan Trommer, Kensington Lane’s flagship triumph sent her above $410,000 in total earnings (10:3-2-0). The remarkable feat also made her backers proud, as she paid $48.66. No Doubt About it After capturing last year’s Suburban (G2) by a head, Phileas Fogg didn’t take any chances in his return to Saratoga, dominating the 2026 edition of the $500,000 main track tilt by 10 lengths. The dynamic display under rider Kendrick Carmouche earned the 6-year-old son of Astern (AUS)–Merino a spot in the prestigious millionaires club in his 24th career start (11-5-1; $1,170,373). Gustavo Rodriguez trains Phileas Fogg for owner Jupiter Stable. The fifth choice on the board at 8-1, he paid $19.82. How Sweet it is Of Sweet Azteca’s eight career victories, three have come in the $200,000 Great Lady M (G2). On Saturday, the Sharp Azteca mare returned to Los Alamitos Race Course to complete the threepeat with confidence Paired with rider Armando Ayuso after claiming the 2024 and 2025 editions with Juan Hernandez, Sweet Azteca looked the part of a clear favourite, beating 6-1 runner-up Magnificat by 1 ¼ lengths. Now standing at 8-0-1 from 10 starts, the Pamela Ziebarth homebred trained by Richard Baltas has banked over $787,000. Atop the betting at 3-5, Sweet Azteca paid $3.40. Say Cheese When a lengthy photo finish couldn’t declare a definitive winner in Sunday’s $225,000 Kelso (G3T) at Saratoga, the one-mile inner turf test was deemed a dead heat between Zulu Kingdom (IRE) and Mi Bago. The veteran bays gave it all they had in a fierce attempt to separate as the wire approached, but when that wasn’t possible, both proved worthy victors. For Zulu Kingdom, the Kelso score marked the Chad Brown charge’s sixth career graded triumph. At 2-1, he paid $3.66. On the other side, the Kelso stands as the maiden graded tally for Mi Bago, who now sports an 8-1-0 line from 17 starts. At 9-1, the Mark Casse trainee paid $8.40. Matthew Lomon, for Woodbine Share This:Share
