SUPER SATURDAY AT BELMONT
A star-studded line-up of races and horses will be at Belmont on Saturday, as five Grade 1 races, six in total, comprise Super Saturday. Leading the way is the $750,000 Jockey Club Gold Cup S. (G1), with Tizway, one of the top handicap horses in the nation, as the likely one to beat. Trained by James Bond, the peaking six-year-old comes off scores in the Met Mile (G1) and Whitney H. (G1) in succession, and will always be in range in here with a clean break. The son of Tiznow loves Belmont and has trained well leading up to this.
Stay Thirsty has captured the Travers S. (G1) and Jim Dandy S. (G2) in his last two tries, and was a good second in the Belmont S. (G1) on this oval prior to those tallies. The Todd Pletcher-trained son of Bernardini has never been better and seems capable of standing up to his elders in his current form. Santa Anita H. (G1) winner Game on Dude could ship in for this one for Bob Baffert, and the four-year-old would have to be reckoned with if he does show up here. Flat Out has been second in the Whitney and Woodward S. (G1) in his last pair, and was a daylight winner in the Suburban H. (G2) prior to those on this main oval.
The top two finishers in the Brooklyn H. (G2), Birdrun and Drosselmyer, and Greenwood Cup S. star A U Miner, also seem likely for this historic race.
Globetrotter Cape Blanco, who has bagged the Man o’War S. (G1) and Arlington Million S. (G1) in a pair of successful trips to the states this season, will again ship in from Ireland to contest the $500,000 Joe Hirsch Turf Classic Invitational S. (G1). Trained by Aidan O’ Brien, the son of Galileo is all class and will hope to complete a sensational trio of wins in succession over a strip he should adore. The Irish Derby (Ire-G1) victor will be very tough in here as he inches closer to an Eclipse Award.
Defending champ Winchester comes off a fine tally in the Sword Dancer (G1) for trainer Christophe Clement, and the son of Theatrical has never been worse than second in four tries on this turf oval. The six-year-old could even improve in his third start in 2011. Two-time Grade 1 winner Teaks North is flying a bit under the radar still for Justin Sallusto, but the son of Northern Afleet is a proven marathoner and was a useful fourth in the Sword Dancer last time. Manhattan H. (G1) victor Mission Approved and Sword Dancer third Al Khali also seem likely for this event.
The $500,000 Flower Bowl Invitational S. (G1) looks like one of the better races assembled in this division this season, with one-two Diana S. (G1) finishers, Zagora and Aruna, leading the way. Zagora had placed in four straight tries since arriving in the U. S. and put it all together last time in a visually impressive move turning for home. The Chad Brown trainee was a close second in the New York H. (G2) on this lawn two back.
Aruna has been first or second in all five stateside efforts, picking up a pair of graded wins along the way. The Graham Motion pupil looms a big chance in this one. Juddmonte homebred Deluxe rallied boldly to just miss in U. S. debut last time and should certainly move up in here second time for Bill Mott. The blue-blooded daughter of Storm Cat is bred for greatness and would not be a surprise in this one. Euro imports Toi Et Moi, Strawberrydaiquiri and Sarah Lynx, as well as Beverly D S. (G1) queen Stacelita, help make this a sensational affair.
In the $350,000 Beldame Invitational S. (G1), defending champ Life at Ten, Ruffian (G1) and Personal Ensign S. (G1) queen Ask the Moon, superb Alabama S. (G1) victress Royal Delta, dominant Molly Pitcher S. (G2) winner Quiet Giant and Ogden Phipps H. (G2) runner-up Payton d’Oro, are among the stars headed for this affair.
Electric True North H. (G2) star Trappe Shot, who just missed in the A. G. Vanderbilt (G1) last out, leads the way in the $350,000 Vosburgh S. (G1). Trained by Kiaran McLaughlin, the exciting son of Tapit has really taken to one-turn racing and is perfect in a trio of tries on the Belmont oval.
Smile Sprint H. (G2) victor Giant Ryan, who has won five straight, could land here in his return since being off since the early summer. The feel-god son of Freud is a local winner and could be dangerous if fit. King’s Bishop S. (G1) third Justin Phillip, Forego S. (G1) third Aikenite, speedster Force Freeze, who returned from Dubai to post an impressive win in the Teddy Drone S., and Vanderbilt fourth Apriority, add to the quality of this field. Reigning champion sprinter Big Drama is listed as possible, and would obviously make this race one of the best of 2011.
The $200,000 Kelso H. (G2) is often an undercard race on this day, but the presence of champion Uncle Mo changes that this time around. Trained by Pletcher, the superb son of Indian Charlie returned off a lengthy break with a game second in the King’s Bishop S. (G1) and should be fitter while stretching out to a trip he probably prefers in this one. The exciting sophomore will be facing his elders for the first time here, but should roll, nonetheless.
Cigar Mile H. (G1) winner Jersey Town and fellow sophomore Dominus, could be the biggest threats to Mo.
The Sunday headliners at Belmont are the $150,000 Nashua S. (G2), $100,000 Tempted S. (G3), $100,000 Pilgrim S. (G3) and $100,000 Miss Grillo S. (G3) – all four of which could produce a slew of Breeders’ Cup starters.