Joseph O'Brien's State of Rest claimed a brilliant win in the Saratoga Derby Invitational Stakes in upstate New York on Saturday night.
The 12-1 shot (211-10 on US industry prices), ridden by John Velazquez, held off second-placed Soldier Rising and Du Jour to claim the $630,000 first prize purse in the Grade One race.
The pack was bunched heading around the final corner with Aidan O’Brien’s favourite Bolshoi Ballet in a strong position, but State of Rest bolted from there to cross the finish line with a length to spare.
Bolshoi Ballet took fourth spot, while the other Irish-trained horse, Cadillac, disappointed in ninth.
