The Grade 1, $1 million Jockey Club Gold Cup Invitational,
one of six graded stakes on September 28 at Belmont Park, is expected to be a
showdown between Kentucky Derby winner Orb, Belmont Stakes victor Palace Malice
and many of the top older males, according to NYRA Vice President and Director
of Racing P.J. Campo.
Most recently, Orb and Palace Malice were third and
fourth, respectively, in the Travers at Saratoga. Also expected for the 1 1/4-mile
race are the respective top-two finishers from the Woodward, Alpha and Flat Out (winner of the
past two editions of the Jockey Club Gold Cup); Whitney Invitational
Handicap hero Cross Traffic; and last-out Philip H. Iselin victor Last
Gunfighter, who was runner-up in the Suburban Handicap in early July.
Liaison and Ron the Greek are possible.
A field of seven turf stars, including Grade 1 winners Big
Blue Kitten and Boisterous and defending Breeders’ Cup Turf scorer Little
Mike, is expected for the Grade 1, $600,000 Joe Hirsch Turf Classic Invitational.
Big Blue Kitten, star of the Sword Dancer
Invitational at Saratoga and United Nations at Monmouth Park, will be
making his first appearance at Belmont since 2011, when he won a starter
allowance and an allowance, while Boisterous is 6-0-3 in 10 turf starts at his
home track, including a victory in the Man o’ War and a third-place
finish after an eventful trip in the Bowling Green Handicap earlier this month.
Winless in four starts this year following his 17-1 upset
of last year’s Breeders’ Cup Turf, Little Mike is 1-0-0 from two starts at
Belmont, having won an optional claimer in 2010 and finished fifth in the 2012
Turf Classic.
Also expected for the 1 1/2-mile Turf Classic are Boisterous’ stablemate Imagining, front-running winner of the Idle Rich overnight stakes
last out at Saratoga; Nutello, third in the Sword Dancer in his American
debut; Slumber, who launched his stateside career with a pair of optional
claiming wins at Saratoga for Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott; and Sword Dancer
runner-up and dual Grade 2 winner Twilight Eclipse.
King Kreesa, second in the Fourstardave
Handicap to reigning Horse of the Year Wise Dan last time out, is possible.
Fillies and mares will travel 1 1/4 miles on the turf in the
Grade 1, $600,000 Flower Bowl Invitational. Trainer Alan Goldberg and owner
Richard Santulli are expected to have a powerful 1-2 combination with Laughing
and Tannery.
Laughing has won three straight, including the Diana and
Ballston Spa, while Grade 2 queen Tannery was fourth in the Sword
Dancer Invitational against males in her most recent start. Also probable are
Kissable, Mystical Star, Qushchi, Somali Lemonade, Valiant Girl and White Rose.
The winners of Saratoga’s two Grade 1 races for older
sprinters will meet again in the Grade 1, $400,000 Vosburgh Invitational at six
furlongs. Justin Phillip captured the Alfred G. Vanderbilt Handicap, then was
third in the Forego behind winner Strapping Groom. The probables also include 2012 Vosburgh victor The Lumber Guy, as well as Bahamian
Squall, Candyman E, Forty Tales and Palace.
Royal Delta, aiming for her third Eclipse Award, will try for
a title defense in the Grade 1, $400,000 Beldame Invitational, a 1 1/8-mile race
for fillies and mares. Most recently, she took the Personal Ensign
Handicap by 4 1/2 lengths. Her competition is expected to include Kentucky Oaks, Coaching Club American Oaks and Alabama heroine Princess of Sylmar
as well as And Why
Not, Authenticity, Centring and Go Unbridled. Lady Cohiba is possible.
Graydar will return from a six-month absence when he
competes in the Grade 2, $400,000 Kelso Invitational Handicap. Earlier this
year, he conquered the Donn Handicap and New Orleans
Handicap. Also probable are Brujo de Olleros, Hymn Book, Jaguar Paw and Souper
Speedy. Ron the Greek is also under consideration.
The graded stakes action will continue on September 29 with a pair of
six-furlong races for two-year-olds — the Grade 2, $200,000 Futurity and Grade
2, $200,000 Matron.
In the Futurity, recent maiden winners In Trouble and Sound
of Freedom will take on Big Sugar Soda and Saratoga Special winner
Corfu, fourth and ninth, respectively, in the Hopeful. Financial Mogul
and Howaboutwe are possible.
Miss Behavior will step up in class for the Matron, which
is restricted to fillies. She is unbeaten in two starts, including an 8 1/4-length
romp in the Sorority at Monmouth Park. Joining her on the list of probables are
Brazen Persuasion, Cynical Storm, Grace, Sweet Whiskey and Yes Liz. Miss
Narcissist is possible.
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