Jockey Club Gold Cup Saturday
BELMONT HOSTS SUPER SATURDAY
The signature day of the Belmont fall meeting is upon us in the form of Super Saturday, to be held this weekend. A quintet of Grade 1 events will be contested, led by the G1 $750,000 Jockey Club Gold Cup. Blame, a top contender for Horse of the Year, will try to stamp himself the one to beat in the Breeders' Cup Classic next month with another top showing for trainer Albert Stall, Jr. The son of Arch hasn't missed a beat this campaign and has worked well leading into this.
G1 Hollywood Gold Cup winner Rail Trip is set to make his dirt debut for Richard Dutrow and could be any kind on the dirt. The son of Jump Start has worked well in preparation of this test. Standout sophomore Fly Down, second in the Belmont Stakes and Travers Stakes for Nick Zito, returns to the oval that saw him bag the G2 Dwyer Stakes earlier in the year. G3 Iselin Stakes runner-up Redding Colliery has impressed this summer for trainer Kiaran McLaughlin and rates a chance as a spoiler. The son of Mineshaft could be ready for a big effort. The Bob Baffert-trained Mythical Power is clearly better on dirt and shouldn't be overlooked.
The G1 $500,000 Flower Bowl Stakes is the spot for high-class Japanese import Red Desire to have her prep for the Breeders' Cup. The Group 1 heroine could be the one to beat. Champion Forever Together, Grade 1 starlet Gozzip Girl, G1 Diana Stakes second Shared Account, Waya Stakes queen Changing Skies are also likely, with G1 Beverly D. Stakes victress Éclair de Lune and Group 1 winner Treat Gently as possible.
The G1 $500,000 Joe Hirsch Classic could be the next stop for dual champion Gio Ponti. Also likely to land in this demanding turf spot are sophomore sensation Paddy O' Prado, two-time Grade 1 victor Telling, Group 1 hero Never on Sunday and G1 Bowling Green Handicap star Al Khali.
A sharp field of sprinters are likely for the G1 $350,000 Vosburgh Stakes including the high-class Girolamo from the mighty Godolphin stable. G1 King's Bishop Stakes third Latigo Shore, the highly regarded Bulldogger and the speedy Snapshot.
The sudden retirement of Horse of the Year Rachel Alexandra took some of the spice out of the G1 $350,000 Beldame Stakes, but the distaffers signed on for this have plenty of quality. G1 Personal Ensign Stakes upsetter Persistently, Grade 1 heroine Life At Ten, star sophomore Devil May Care, G2 La Troienne Stakes victress Unrivaled Belle and the improving Bonnie Blue Flag lead the probable list.