Saratoga Springs stakes his claim

Saratoga Springs provided Aidan O'Brien with another guide to the strength of his Classic armoury with a Grosvenor Casinos Dante Stakes victory that earned him Vodafone Derby favouritism at York yesterday.

He tumbled in the betting from 20 to 1 to become Ladbrokes' new 6 to 1 market leader and 11 to 2 and 4 to 1 with William Hill and the Tote after his half length defeat of City Honours.

And Coral, who promoted City Honours to 5 to 1, were forced to shorten Saratoga Springs from a post race 8 to 1 to 6 to 1 after laying the colt to lose £50,000 in confirmed bets.

But in truth the Derby picture remained as confused as before with O'Brien and part-owner Michael Tabor declining to confirm any immediate running plans for their team.

Saratoga Springs, King Of Kings and Second Empire are all engaged in the Epsom Classic but no firm decisions will be made until connections "sit down in the next couple of weeks".

And though City Honours was confirmed a definite Derby runner, the shadow of the filly Cape Verdi, cut to 9 to 4 with a run from 5 to 2 by Coral, is still cast over the ante-post market.

Saratoga Springs, last seen winning the Racing Post Trophy at Doncaster, had arrived at York late after his flight had to be diverted from Leeds-Bradford to East Midlands airport.

But in spite of the delay, he was delivered on the outside of the field to cut down City Honours inside the final furlong with Border Arrow taking third and Dr Fong fourth.

Just two and a quarter lengths separated first and fourth but Saratoga Springs, the laziest of workers at home, is likely to benefit most from the race.

"He is so hard to get fit. He was very tired when we pulled up because he does nothing at home," said jockey Michael Kinane.

"He is a very hard ride. When he goes there he wants to pull up so you just have to be tough on him and give him a clip."

O'Brien concurred. "This is the first time he has had to work since the Racing Post. All he does is eat and sleep at home," he said. "But they don't come any tougher and if there is a bottom to him, we've never seen it.

"We've got three in the Derby, Saratoga Springs, Second Empire and King Of Kings. But no horse has a confirmed next run. Everything is open and there will be no decision until we sit down in the next couple of weeks.

"Second Empire is making very slow progress but I wouldn't be able to make any decision or comment on him other than to hope he comes forward every day."

City Honours, like the winner making his seasonal comeback, earned his chance to run in the Derby with a positive showing that brought his odds to a best-priced 8 to 1. But Cape Verdi remains a possible runner.

"He'll come on for the run and is crying out for a mile and a half. He will run in the Derby but there is no decision about Cape Verdi," said Godolphin racing manager Simon Crisford.

Border Arrow, one of the big race favourites following his third in the 2,000 Guineas, is as big as 25 to 1 despite faring worst in interference caused by Dr Fong hanging into City Honours.

"The winner did well but he had a clear run which we failed to get. We were a bit unlucky but I think he will still run in the Derby," said trainer Ian Balding.