Stark Contrast (Caravaggio), an impressive 2 1/4-length winner of the GI American Turf S. with a career-high 99 Beyer Speed Figure on Kentucky Derby day, is being aimed at the GI Belmont Derby at Saratoga July 4.The Amerman Racing homebred has worked three times at trainer Michael McCarthy's Santa Anita base since, including a four-furlong breeze in :50.20 (27/31) June 11.C R K Stable's 'TDN Rising Star, presented by Hagyard' Remember Mamba (Kitten's Joy), winner of the GIII UK HealthCare Transylvania S. at Keeneland and runner-up in the American Turf, is targeting the Belmont Derby as well.“Working with Michael McCarthy, we're probably gonna go towards the July 4 Belmont Derby,” owner/breeder John Amerman said. “It's nine furlongs, it's turf, and the horse has been running very very well. His Beyer and Sheet numbers are very good. Hopefully, we've got a good shot.”Stark Contrast, second in the GIII Jeff Ruby Steaks Mar. 21, could have entertained a Kentucky Derby bid with the 50 points he earned over the all-weather at Turfway, but instead opted for the American Turf.“He's a turf horse,” Amerman said. “The Derby, of course, is dirt. The Derby is always difficult to pass up. On the other hand, we just thought he'd do better on the grass. And he proved it by winning the American Turf. So, it was good.”Stark Contrast finished a longshot second beaten just 3/4 of a length behind Gstaad (GB) (Starspangledbanner {Aus}) in the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf at Del Mar Oct. 31. Gstaad has since won this spring's G1 Tattersalls Irish 2,000 Guineas and came within a nose of capturing the G1 St James's Palace S. at Royal Ascot earlier this week.“I thought we had it, but Gstaad's a very good horse and has proved it over in Europe most recently,” Amerman said.Stark Contrast is one of 13 graded/group winners worldwide for Caravaggio, the leading European first-crop sire of 2021, who was relocated to Japan's Shizunai Stallion Station. He was produced by the graded-placed Quality Road mare Catch the Eye. The Amermans bought Stark Contrast's granddam, Turns My Head (Ire) (Montjeu {Ire}), for $310,000 at the 2008 Keeneland September Yearling sale. This is also the family of GISW Gun Pilot (Gun Runner).STARK CONTRAST wins the G1 American Turf presented by @TheUFL. pic.twitter.com/BZdDc9Fkcv— Churchill Downs (@ChurchillDowns) May 2, 2026The post American Turf Winner Stark Contrast Targeting Belmont Derby appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.