Belmont Park

National Treasure (Quality Road) turned in his first work since winning the May 20 GI Preakness S., going four furlongs in :50.62 (9/15) at Belmont Park Tuesday as he continues preparations for the June 10 GI Belmont S. With jockey John Velazquez up for trainer Bob Baffert, National Treasure was caught by New York Racing Association clockers in a swift opening split of :23 2/5. Velazquez had the colt under a hold down the lane before letting the talented bay gallop out strongly. "I wanted to jog him to the...

Quatar Racing, Marc Detampel and Madaket Stable's Caravel (Mizzen Mast), winner of last year's GI Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint, will skip an expected trip to Royal Ascot for the June 20 G1 King's Stand S. and will instead aim for the June 10 GI Jaipur S. at Belmont Park, trainer Brad Cox confirmed Tuesday. The news was first reported by the Daily Racing Form's Dave Grening. "We just feel it's the right decision with getting her back to the Breeders' Cup," Cox said. Purchased for $500,000 at the 2021 Fasig-Tipton...

Winchell Thoroughbreds' homebred Red Route One (Gun Runner), beaten just under five lengths when fourth to National Treasure (Quality Road) in the GI Preakness S. May 20, worked an easy half-mile in :50.85 at Belmont Park Monday morning as he readies for his next start in the GI Belmont S. Presented by NYRA Bets June 10. Trained by Steve Asmussen, who conditioned Creator (Tapit) to victory in the 2016 renewal, the chestnut worked on his own and NYRA clockers caught him galloping out five furlongs in 1:04. "It was good,...

5th-CD, $120K, Msw, 3yo/up, f/m, 6 1/2f, 2:45 p.m. PUMPKIN SCONE (Into Mischief), a $1.25-million Keeneland September Yearling purchase by Spendthrift Farm, debuts for Brad Cox from the outside gate on Sunday. Bred in Kentucky by the China Horse Club, the bay filly is out of Embellish the Lace (Super Saver), who has also produced three-time winner and fellow $1.25-million KEESEP graduate Tap the Faith (Tapit). Pumpkin Scone hails from a female family which includes GI Travers S. hero Afleet Express (Afleet Alex) and MGISP My Miss Sophia (Unbridled's Song),...

Hall of Fame trainer D. Wayne Lukas has not won the GI Ogden Phipps S. since 1996, the year the legendary Serena's Song (Rahy) got the job done when the race was contested as the Hempstead H. The 87-year-old will hope that streak comes to an end when he saddles 2022 GI Kentucky Oaks heroine Secret Oath (Arrogate) in this year's Phipps, one of nine elite-level races slated to take place during the Belmont Stakes Racing Festival. The winner earns a spot in the field for the GI Breeders' Cup...

Doppelganger (Into Mischief), last seen recording a 17-1 upset over Repo Rocks (Tapiture) in the GI Carter H. at Aqueduct Apr. 8, remains on target for a rematch with that foe in the GI Hill 'n' Dale Metropolitan H. at Belmont Park June 10. The $570,000 Fasig-Tipton Selected Yearlings Showcase purchase has registered his three most recent works over the Laurel main track, including a best-of-12 five furlongs that was timed in 1:01.60 May 24. "Since the Carter, he's quite sharp," trainer Brittany Russell said. "He thinks he's a bear....

The veterinarian deemed responsible for causing a six-horse field to scratch down to two runners by failing to administer Lasix to four horses at Belmont Park last week has been fined $8,000 by the New York State Gaming Commission (NYSGC). The May 25 ruling stated that Dr. Steven Lascher failed "to follow proper Lasix procedures" in  the third race on May 19. A New York Racing Association (NYRA) spokesperson had told TDN in the initial aftermath of the unintended match race that Lascher was "no longer employed by NYRA." It...

The trainer James Chapman, 51, faces a stalking misdemeanor charge in the aftermath of a backstretch dispute at Belmont Park. Daily Racing Form's David Grening was first to break the story on Thursday, quoting Chapman as saying he spent Wednesday night in jail prior to pleading not guilty at a May 25 arraignment in Nassau First District Court. Chapman told DRF that the charge stemmed from a "ridiculous" argument that escalated over round pens that had been located between barns at Belmont. The alleged victim was a neighboring trainer, DRF...

The New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) will offer a number of unique incentives for owners and trainers at the Belmont Stakes Racing Festival, slated for Thursday, June 8 through Saturday, June 10, at Belmont Park which will be highlighted by the 155th running of the GI Belmont S., the final jewel of the Triple Crown. The event will encompass 16 stakes races worth a combined $7.65 million while the June 10 Belmont Stakes card will feature nine graded events, including three Breeders' Cup qualifying races as part of the...

Eye Witness (City of Light) kept his win streak intact with a victory over the soaked turf at Belmont on Saturday afternoon in the Paradise Creek S. After a debut third last fall against state bred company on the grass during the Belmont at the Big A meet, the bay colt went to the sidelines before coming back to his trainer's base at Turfway where he broke his maiden with a front-running score Jan. 1 by 1 3/4 lengths. Stepping up in class in the Animal Kingdom S. in Florence,...

The third race at Belmont Park Friday was left with just two horses entered to run after Lasix was not administered to four horses who were supposed to receive it. The veterinarian charged with administering the Lasix, Dr. Steven Lascher, "is no longer employed by NYRA," the company said. The race, a $100,000 allowance optional claimer at one mile had drawn six entries, but was left with just two: Pharoah's Heart (American Pharoah) and Honey Money (Central Banker) after the omission came to light. "Four horses entered to run in...

It was Mike Tyson who famously said, 'everyone has a plan until they get punched in the face.' Racing is a sport where the metaphoric punches can be unrelenting.  Therefore, when New York-based trainer Tom Morley dreamed up the idea of purchasing a filly with the idea of returning home to England to try and win the G2 Queen Mary S. at Royal Ascot, he knew the plan was a daring one.  But credit to Cynane (Omaha Beach), bought for $250,000 through Oracle Bloodstock at the Keeneland September Yearling Sale,...