Today’s Belmont Stakes anchors one of the year’s strongest racing days in New York, with five graded stakes preceding the $1 million “Test of the Champion” worth an additional $1,350,000 in purses.
There is a $1 million guaranteed pick 6 combining the five stakes with the Belmont (races 6-11) and a $1 million guaranteed pick 4 on races 8-11.
The $400,000 Manhattan Handicap, for older horses going a mile-and-a-quarter on turf, is the only other Grade 1 on the card, but two other stakes are more compelling: the Grade 2, $200,000 Riva Ridge at seven furlongs, headed by undefeated Lost in the Fog, followed by the Grade 2, $250,000 Brooklyn Handicap featuring the first New York start since last October for Funny Cide, marking a rare instance when two Kentucky Derby winners, Giacomo being the other, appear on the same card.
Lost in the Fog, although he did not compete in the Triple Crown and, in fact, wasn’t even nominated, is regarded by many as the best 3-year-old in America, and he’s arguably the best sprinter of any age.
Trained by Greg Gilchrist, the speedy son of Lost Soldier has blazed to six straight victories by margins ranging from 41/4 lengths to 143/4 lengths at distances from 5 furlongs to 7 furlongs. Last out, Lost in the Fog set a 6-furlong track record of 1:07.1 winning the Golden Gate Breeders’ Cup by 10 lengths at his home field, Golden Gate Park on San Francisco Bay. He’s also won at Turf Paradise, Gulfstream Park and Aqueduct. With Lost in the Fog’s regular rider, Russell Baze, sidelined with a broken collarbone, Edgar Prado picks up the mount.
Egg Head, coming off three straight runaways by 41/2, 11 and 9½ lengths, looms the major competition under Rich Migliore.
Funny Cide lured more than 100,000 fans to the track on Belmont Stakes day two years ago when he bid for the Triple Crown, finishing third to Empire Maker. In 13 starts since, the popular 5-year-old gelding has won three races, the last being a game score in the Jockey Club Gold Cup last October.
In the Manhattan, Artie Schiller will be favored to make amends after being beaten a nose at 3-5 in the Dixie Handicap on the Preakness undercard.
Today at Belmont
PARKING
Gates open: 8:15 a.m.
General: $10; Preffered: $25; Valet: Not available
ADMISSION
Gates open: 8:30 a.m.
Grandstand: $10; Clubhouse: $20
MASS TRANSIT
Long Island Railroad: 18 trains directly to Belmont Park beginning at 9:59 a.m.
RACES INFO
First Race Post Time: Noon
Last Race Post Time: 7:50 p.m.
Guaranteed Pools: $1 million Pick 6 (races 6-11); $1 million Pick 4 (races 8-11)
Restrictions: Glass containers and alcoholic beverages not permitted; coolers restricted to back yard; open flames, canopies/tents not permitted.