Not a day goes by without Starspangledbanner siring a winner somewhere in the northern hemisphere, but the four-time Group 1 winning son of Choisir broke new ground at Saratoga on Saturday when his son State Of Rest captured the $1 million Grade 1 Saratoga Derby Invitational.
Bolshoi Ballet, winner of the July 10 Belmont Derby Invitational Stakes, was favoured to add the second leg of the New York Racing Association's Turf Triple series for Aidan O'Brien, but his son Joseph upstaged him.
It was the first win for State Of Rest since breaking his maiden at his career debut at Fairyhouse in June last year. He made the trip to the U.S. off the back of a close up third in a Listed stake at The Curragh on June 26.
No semblance of a fluke here with the son of Starspangledbanner charging home under John Velazquez to defeat the Frankel gelding Soldier Rising (GB) by a length with a further two and a half lengths back to the Temple City colt Du Jour in third.
Short-priced favourite Bolshoi Ballet (Galileo) was a laboured fourth.
"I was supposed to be close to the pace, but he didn't break," Velazquez told The Bloodhorse. "So I went to Plan B.
"I saved all the ground and gave him some confidence and hoped that when I got him out, he'd respond. He did."
Bred by Tinnakil Bloodstock, State Of Rest was a 45,000gns Tattersalls weanling and 65,000gns Tattersalls October yearling purchase for his trainer.
He is the second foal of the unraced Quiet American mare Repose, a half-sister to stakes-winners, Prince Alzain (Street Sense) and Echo River (Irish River).
Repose's stakes-winning dam Monaassabaat is a daughter of the Champion 2yo and Champion 3yo filly. It's In The Air, a 5-time Grade 1 winning daughter of Mr Prospector.
State Of Rest is the third winner at the highest level for Starspangledbanner, and all three have been in the northern hemisphere. He follows the Prix Morny winner, The Wow Signal and Cheveley Park Stakes winner Millisle.
Starspangledbanner shuttles between Coolmore Stud in Ireland, where his fee is €22,500 and Rosemont Stud, Victoria, at $16,500.
