Horse Racing Results: Belmont Park and Parx Racing

INDEX

Belmont Park

Jockey Club Gold Cup

Winner: Forever Young | Jockey: Ryusei Sakai | Trainer: Yoshito Yahagi

Showing some signs of rust in the eyes of his trainer, but not enough to lose, Forever Young tuned up Friday for his Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) title defense with a powerful display in the $935,000 Jockey Club Gold Cup (G1), the feature on opening day at the refurbished Belmont Park.

Unraced since finishing second to Magnitude in the Dubai World Cup (G1) on March 28, the reigning champion older male raced wide throughout but proved too classy for his rivals, recording a 3 1/4-length decision as an odds-on choice.

The 1 1/4-mile Gold Cup lost three starters since entries were taken, including Chunk of Gold, who was projected to show speed against two-time Suburban (G2) winner Phileas Fogg. Despite the tactical advantage, and a lead of 2 1/2 lengths over Forever Young at the quarter pole, Phileas Fogg capitulated rather quickly in upper stretch. 

Under regular rider Ryusei Sakai, Forever Young opened up readily approaching the eighth pole and won comfortably in a time of 2:01.23 over a track rated fast. Owned by Fujita Sasumu, Forever Young returned $2.96.

Stars and Stripes, the longest shot in the field of four, rallied to finish second by 4 3/4 lengths over Baeza, a habitual slow starter who again lost contact with the leaders early. Phileas Fogg trailed home last, beaten nearly 15 lengths.

RELATED: Forever Young dominant in Jockey Club Gold Cup

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Parx Racing

Pennsylvania Derby

Winner: The Puma | Jockey: Javier Castellano | Trainer: Gustavo Delgado

Galvanized by a heady ride by Hall of Famer Javier Castellano and the addition of blinkers, The Puma scored a new career high in Saturday’s $1 million Pennsylvania Derby (G1) at Parx. The Gustavo Delgado trainee circled the field on the far turn when 2-1 favorite Further Ado was still on hold, and that proved to be the key to his half-length victory.

The Puma previously upstaged Further Ado on the Road to the Kentucky Derby, when rallying to break his maiden in the March 7 Tampa Bay Derby (G3). After a near-miss in the Florida Derby (G1), The Puma unfortunately had to scratch from the Kentucky Derby (G1), and he’s had no easy spots on the comeback trail. Fourth in both the Haskell (G1) and Travers (G1), the son of Essential Quality put it all together here.

Further Ado appeared to be in a good spot early, nestled just behind the leaders in fourth. In contrast, The Puma dropped back into his comfort zone further off the pace.

Longshot Ponder and Dream was the first to scamper forward through an opening quarter in :23.27, but Talk to Me Jimmy came through on the inside to take over. Establishing splits of :47.69 and 1:12.10, Talk to Me Jimmy continued to feel pressure. His initial attendant, Ponder and Dream, retreated before the far turn, only to have Sassmaster pick up the role.

By that point, Castellano had gotten The Puma into the game, and the 2.70-1 second choice made a move of catlike agility out wide. Not only did The Puma range up to join Talk to Me Jimmy and Sassmaster, but he rapidly pulled clear swinging into the stretch. 

Meanwhile, Further Ado was biding his time behind the first flight. When he finally steered out turning for home, The Puma was already gone. Further Ado did well to make up as much ground as he did in the circumstances, but not quite enough to catch his familiar foe.

The Puma held on to complete 1 1/8 miles in 1:49.10 and returned $7.40.

RELATED: The Puma gets the jump on Further Ado in Pennsylvania Derby

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Cotillion Stakes

Winner: Bodacious Bay | Jockey: Micah Husbands | Trainer: Saffie Joseph, Jr.

Privately purchased following a second-place finish in the Monmouth Oaks (G3) in late July, Bodacious Bay reaped immediate dividends on Saturday when scoring a stylish win in the $1 million Cotillion (G1) at Parx.

Second choice in the wagering at 5-1 in the field of nine three-year-old fillies, Bodacious Bay closely stalked her Monmouth Oaks conqueror and stablemate My Miss Mo for more than a half mile. Poking her head in front approaching the turn for home, Bodacious Bay opened up an insurmountable lead in upper stretch and scored by 3 1/4 lengths.

Under Micah Husbands, Bodacious Bay covered 1 1/16 miles over a fast track in 1:43.60, well off the stakes and track mark of 1:40.93 set by Havre de Grace in 2010.

RELATED: Bodacious Bay makes a statement in Cotillion

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