Amo Racing USA’s Hill Road, trained by Chad Brown, returns to turf aiming to improve on a strong third-place finish in the Grade 3 Nashville Derby. The Quality Road colt, who has shown versatility on both dirt and turf, including a Grade 3 Peter Pan win and a Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile third-place finish, will compete in the Grade 2, $500,000 Jockey Club Derby Invitational at Belmont Park. Brown also enters Asbury Park, a Frankel colt with consistent Saratoga turf form and strong pedigree ties, while other notable contenders include Kevin Attard’s Hammerhead, Peter Miller’s Game Warrior, and Hall of Famer Todd Pletcher’s duo Noble Confessor and Crudo.
The Jockey Club Derby Invitational, an 11-furlong turf race for sophomores, is part of a 12-race card at Belmont featuring multiple Breeders’ Cup qualifying events. The race highlights emerging talent and offers a significant purse, with live coverage available on FOX Sports and wagering through NYRA Bets. This event serves as a key stepping stone for three-year-olds aiming to establish themselves on the turf at longer distances.
