We've become used to seeing "Belmont at the big A "and now it's "Belmont at the Spa".
Belmont itself is undergoing major works and Aqueduct will follow suit at some stage so the NYRA has moved the Belmont Stakes meeting to Saratoga for the next two years.
It's good to see that a lot of these races have taken up the HISA Rule 4212 and horses are not allowed Lasix later than 48 hours pre-race. We are not sure if that applies to all races as the general rule seems to be no Lasix later than 4 hours prior to race.
The festival gets underway on Thursday with the running of the Gr 2 Belmont Gold Cup over the 3200m, for which there are 12 runners and 2 emergencies. Hot favourite is Godolphin's Siskany for Appleby-Buick who is on evens, having won this race last year and following a good season in Dubai which included winning the Nad Al Sheba Trophy.
The Melbourne Cup could be in the diary and the NYRA are bring over Matt Hill to call the race.
The Grey Wizard came second last year and is on 8/1 for Maker-Velazquez with the stablemate Starting Over preferred on 9/2 with Manny Franco the rider. In the emergencies Costa Terra is on 5/2 should they get a run.
Friday is ladies' day leading in to the Acorn Stakes Gr. 1 which is the third leg of the triple tiara for the girls. Thorpedo Anna, winner of the first leg, is here and favourite on 8/5 with her regular team of Kenny McPeek and Brian Hernandez involved. Just FYI was second to Thorpedo Anna in the Oaks and we like her a lot -Bill Mott and Jr Alvarado – and she's on 5/2. Leslie's Rose is also useful and on 5/1 for Pletcher- Irad Ortiz. This race is subject to the 48 hour no-Lasix rule.
Prior to that we have the Intercontinental Gr 2 over 1100m turf for f&m with Roses for Debra 6/5 for Clement- J L Ortiz. Love Reigns is a Wesley Ward runner with Joel Rosario riding and they are on 3/1 and Future Is Now Trombetta-P Lopez is on 8/1.
The Just A Game is Gr 1 over 1600m turf with a field of 7 and no Lasix 48 hours rule applies. Chad Brown saddles 5 of the 7 runners and looks highly likely to have the trifecta here with Whitebeam on 5/2, Gina Romantica and Coppica on 3/1.
The New York Stakes is Gr 1 over 1900m turf again for f&m with 13 runners. Godolphin are back with Appleby-Buick and English Rose on 3/1. War Like Goddess is on 4/1 and the Argentinian-bred Didia 9/2.
