Saratoga Springs, NY — Trainer Brett Derue is in the midst of the biggest season of his career at Saratoga Casino Hotel. Derue has been in a near dead-heat with Melissa Beckwith atop the trainer standings at the Spa for most of the 2023 campaign and on Sunday (July 23), the young conditioner enjoyed his biggest night of the year.

American Tour N held on to secure her seventh victory of the season. Jessica Hallett photo.

Derue had six horses entered over the course of the 13 race card on Sunday and all of his trainees appeared to have a decent shot to prevail in their respective races. By the time the evening came to an end, Derue did in fact add four wins to his bulky total for the ’23 season.

Love Yourself (Rock N Roll Heaven) concluded the big night for Derue when he out-closed his rivals in a $10,700 claiming pace to complete a natural hat trick for Derue (three consecutive winners on the card) while recording win number four on the evening.

Wally Hennessey piloted Love Yourself to the victory when the 8-year-old shifted gears late in the mile to swoop the group. Love Yourself paid $13.80 in the mild upset. His owners, Steve Picarazzi, Derue and Darreyl Bullard also saw their Hot Joe (Brett Beckwith) score a first-over victory on Sunday while their Okie From Muskogee went coast-to-coast with Shawn Gray in the sulky.

Picarazzi and Derue teamed up with Hennessey once again for a win when their American Tour N held on to secure her seventh victory of the season.

Derue surged back to a small lead in the training standings with his Sunday grand slam.

Live racing resumes on Friday evening with action starting at 6:45 p.m. There will be a carryover of $4,220 in the early Pick-5 which start in Friday’s first race.