3 minute read
The 9 graded stakes start with the True North Gr 2 over 1100m with 6 runners.
Not surprisingly the fav is Elite Power (Mott- I Ortiz) who won the sprint in Riyadh earlier in the year. He's on 4/5 with Godolphin's Strobe on 2/1 Cox—Geroux.
The Poker Stakes Gr 3 is over 1600m turf with 7 runners and 1 emergency (not sure why they can't fit 8 runners onto the track). The lightly raced Chez Pierre is on evens as he seems to do well when racing fresh. Arnaud Delacour and Flavian Prat. Canadian runner Filo di Arianna is Brazilian-bred and on 4/1 for Mark Casse and Luis Saez, with Pletcher's Emmanuel on 9/2 with Irad Ortiz riding.
The Brooklyn Stakes is over the unusual for the US distance of 2400m and has 11 starters. Warrant was second in this race last year and has been consistent ever since so we like him on 5/2. Next has moved around a few stables but is now with William Cowans and will be ridden by Luan Machado – they are on 3/1, and Bright Future is hoping to live up to his name and is on 4/1 for Pletcher – I Ortiz.
The Ogden Phipps is Gr 1 for f&m over 1700m with a small but highly competitive field of 6.
Secret Oath and Clairiere have split some top races between them so it could go either way. Clairiere is on 6/5 and Secret Oath 2/1.
The Woody Stephens is Gr 1 over 1400m for 3yos and there are 13 lining up. General Jim has been doing very well this prep with the Pat Day Mile and the Swale already in his CV. McCaughey-Saez are in charge of the son of Into Mischief and 7/2 the quote. Baffert's son of Justify Arabian Lion will have regular pilot John Velazquez on board and they are on 4/1.
We were going to put in Fort Bragg but he's been scratched so we will add Drew's Gold, an unbeaten son of Forte's sire Violence. He's on 6/1 for James Chapman with J-A Gomez in the irons.
The Jaipur Gr 1 is over 1200m on turf with 14 runners and 2 emergencies. Caraval is going for a 5th consecutive win for Brad Cox with Tyler Gaffalione riding. Casa Creed ran second in the Riyadh Spring and is on 9.2 for Mott-Saez, and Chad Brown will saddle Dr Zapf who used to be with Ger Lyons when in Ireland and is 5/1 here with F Prat riding and they are on 5/1.
If you are not awake already set the alarm (7.04 am AET) for this next race, the Hill 'n'Dale Metropolitan Handicap Grade 2 over 1600m. There are 8 runners and the alarm is essential if you want to see Cody's Wish and the human Cody go for a 6th consecutive win. The bond between the horse and his human is fantastic to see. As usual Junior Alvarado rides for Billl Mott and they are on 7/5. Repo Rocks is on 4/1 and he's a c&d winner for Nass- Silvera and he beat Zandon recently, and he's next best on 5/1.
The Manhattan is Gr 1 over 2000m turf with 10 runners headed by Up The Mark who won the Gr 1 Old Forester at Churchill Downs. The Pletcher – I Ortiz team here again. They are up against two Godolphin runners, Ottoman Fleet (Appleby-Buick) who has already won a Gr 1 on this track and is on 5/2, and Warren Point (Appleby-R Mullen) 5/1 who was second in Doha and had the win in Bahrain.
There is time to get some breakfast before the Belmont as there is a break here of over one hour. Please note that the prices quoted are on the US Morning Line.
