The Belmont and Saratoga stakes schedules released Sunday by the New York Racing Association feature four blockbuster cards of racing. The June 11 $1.5-million GI Belmont S. is the highlight of a three-day festival which also includes the $1-million GI Manhattan S., $1.25-million GI Metropolitan H., $1-million GI Ogden Phipps S. and the $700,000 GI Longines Just a Game S.
The Belmont Spring/Summer meet, which opens Apr. 29, also features the Stars & Stripes Festival. That July 9 card includes the $1.25-million GI Belmont Derby and $1-million GI Belmont Oaks, as well as four additional graded events.
“We continue to build out the Belmont Stakes Racing Festival and look forward to expanding the international aspect of Stars & Stripes Day, which continues to grow in popularity among our horsemen and our fans,” said Martin Panza, NYRA Senior Vice President of Racing Operations.
The 40-day Saratoga meeting will offer 69 stakes–37 of them graded–worth a record $18.725 million. Highlighting the season will be the Aug. 27 Travers Day card. In addition to the $1.25-million Travers, the card will also include the $1-million GI Longines Sword Dancer Invitational, $750,000 GI Personal Ensign, $700,000 GI Priority One Forego, the $500,000 GI Ballerina S. and the $500,000 GI King's Bishop S.
The $1.25-million GI Whitney H. will be held Aug. 6. That day's races will also include the $500,000 GI Test S. and the $200,000 GIII Fasig-Tipton Waya S.
“The success and popularity last year of the enhanced Whitney Day and Travers Day cards speak for themselves,” said Panza. “Every day at Saratoga is a special one, but we anticipate that these two 'must-see' days will continue to strengthen and shine a national spotlight on the best race meet in the country.”
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