SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Moribund on the tote board at 36-1, trainer Robert “Butch” Reid Jr.’s capable sprinter Poseidon’s Warrior held little traction in the minds of handicappers Saturday alongside fearsome Classic winner Shackleford and blazingly fast Emcee in the Grade 1, $400,000 Alfred G. Vanderbilt Handicap at Saratoga Race Course.
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Questing handled a return to Grade 1 company with aplomb Saturday at Saratoga Race Course, registering a 4 ¼-length victory to give trainer Kiaran McLaughlin and owner Godolphin Racing a repeat score in the $300,000 TVG Coaching Club American Oaks. The win was the first in a graded stakes for 19-year-old jockey Irad Ortiz, Jr.
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – The nation’s finest horses, top jockeys and best trainers will once again gather in upstate New York when historic Saratoga Race Course commences its 144th season of racing on Friday, July 20, with the Grade 1, $1 million Travers the centerpiece of a glittering 40-day meet that runs through Labor Day, September 3.
ELMONT, N.Y. – Zo Impressive took advantage of a tiring pacesetter in Contested and held off a late surge from Disposablepleasure to win Saturday’s 56th running of the Grade 1, $300,000 Mother Goose at Belmont Park.
ELMONT , N.Y. – Patiently and confidently handled by Ramon Dominguez, Summer Front found room in midstretch and claimed the lead in the final strides to beat Howe Great in Belmont Park ’s Grade 3, $150,000 Hill Prince for 3-year-olds on Saturday and remain undefeated in four starts on turf.
2nd Most-Watched Non-Triple Crown Belmont in Nielsen People Meter History (1988); Just 45k Viewers Less than 2005 on NBC
ELMONT, N.Y. – Before today’s 144th running of the Grade 1, $1 million Belmont Stakes, the 31st horse to win the Kentucky Derby and Preakness will have a ceremonial retirement in the Belmont Park winner’s circle.
ELMONT , N.Y. – A crowd of 85,811 wagered $13,777,920 on Belmont Stakes Day races today, the second largest Belmont Stakes Day on-track handle ever, trailing only the $14,461,402 wagered in 2004 when Birdstone broke the Triple Crown bid of Smarty Jones.
By John Scheinman
ELMONT , N.Y. – With a masterful display of derring-do, jockey Ramon Dominguez charged Desert Blanc down the stretch of the Belmont Park inner turf course and right between his front-running rivals Saturday to win the 111th running of the Grade 1, $500,000 Woodford Reserve Manhattan for 3-year-olds and up.
By Jenny Kellner
ELMONT , N.Y. – All trainer Michael Matz wanted was a chance for Union Rags to show what kind of horse he is. Saturday afternoon at Belmont Park , the hard-luck colt got that chance and the result was a thrilling victory over Paynter in the 144thrunning of the Grade 1, $1 million Belmont Stakes.