Today is Super Saturday at Belmont Park , the "big" graded stakes day with races that may have implications for the Breeder's Cup coming up in a few weeks at Churchill Downs . Five grade I races and one grade II make up the lineup which may have runners for six different Breeder's Cup races. Even though some of the races have short fields, we get some of the locally based top stakes runners and some new faces from across the country. This is the biggest event at Belmont Park this Fall and we get to see the best older horses in the country.
The first two legs of this day start on the turf going a route distance for the girls and boys. The 5th race is for the filly & mares going a mile and a quarter on grass in the Flower Bowl Invitational. A field of eight are assembled with runners who have raced at Saratoga this past summer with the exception of the outside horse and morning line favorite; Stacelita #8. She was the grade I winner of the Beverly D. Stakes in her last start at Arlington Park . She will be tough to beat again versus her seven foes off that effort and gets top billing here. For second, I'll be using the rail horse; Deluxe #1 trained by Bill Mott. She was a fast closing 2nd in her U.S. debut going a mile in a overnight stakes at Saratoga . Today she stretches out in distance and should improve off that effort. Superfecta and multi-race runners are; Emerald Beech #3 and the state bred Gitchee Goomie #5. In the 6th race we have the male equalant going a mile and a half on the weeds; the Joe Hirsch Turf Classic Invitational. A small field is assembled, again with a prohibited favorite in Cape Blanco #1. The morning line odds-on favorite comes off winning efforts in grade I competition since coming stateside. Again, the favorite is my top selection here and for second and third I'll use both Christophe Clement runners; Winchester #5 & Grassy #6.
Up next are two races for the sprinters and milers who are quite not up to the Breeder's Cup Classic distance. The 7th race is the Vosburgh Stakes for sprinters going six furlongs. A field of seven are entered with an entry and is the biggest field of the day. Not to sound like a "broken" record, but my top pick is (again) the possible favorite for the race. Trappe Shot #8 just missed last time out in AG Vanderbilt Stakes at Saratoga . Today with a better set up, he should be able to handle this group. His two main opponents, my selections for 2nd and 3rd are a seasoned veteran making his first NY appearance; Euroears #4 and last year's Breeder's Cup Sprint champion; Big Drama #6 who makes only his third start of the year. Next up is an interesting race going a flat mile; the Kelso Stakes (8th). Formally raced on grass, we get a short field of only five and the return of Uncle Mo #3 making his first start versus older horses. This time around, I'll try to beat him at the 4-5 morning line odds and go with the rail horse; Jersey Town #1. The winner of last year's Cigar Mile at Aqueduct, he gets the call here as the "price" in the race. For 2nd and 3rd, I'll use Uncle Mo and the "renaissance" horse Jackson Bend #2.
The final two races showcase horses for the Distaff and Classic. In the 9th race; the Beldame Invitational which is a mile and an eighth, the prohibited favorite is Havre de Grace #5 and should be. She beat the "boys" last time out in the Woodward Stakes at Saratoga and after today, should have a date (again) versus the "boys" in the Breeder's Cup Classic. For 2nd, I'll use the three year old filly; Royal Delta #2. In the finale, the premier race for the older males at Belmont is the Jockey Club Gold Cup at a mile and a quarter. The leading three year old colt; Stay Thirsty #4 takes on his elders for the first time. He has become the top three year this past summer and with the weight allowance here, he gets the call for me. The "horse to beat" and my 2nd choice is part of the entry; Flat Out #1 who rallied last time out versus Havre de Grace in the Woodward Stakes. Drosselmeyer #5 can round out your trifecta.
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