Belmont Stakes
The 50 years that have passed since Secretariat's Herculean victory in the Belmont Stakes have taken a toll on the number of the 67,605 souls who came to witness history and saw a day sanctified by the racing gods. But then, unlike Secretariat, we are mere mortals. I am one of the dwindling number of those who were present on that sweltering day in June 1973. The memory of that magnificent day remains, intensely vibrant and charged with emotion, but it is now more a mosaic than a painting, with...
The New York State Racing and Gaming Commission (NYSGC) issued clear regulations regarding racing and training at Belmont Park based on the Air Quality Index (AQI) Thursday afternoon, in light of the ongoing poor air quality due to the Canadian wildfires, according to a press release from Scott Palmer, the state's Equine Medical Director. The press release reads: "If the AQI is between 151 and 200, no horse will be allowed to workout or race unless their attending veterinarian certifies that the horse will not be adversely affected by the...
David O'Rourke, the CEO and President of NYRA, joined the TDN Writers' Room to discuss this weekend's Belmont Stakes and future plans for Belmont Park. This week's episode is sponsored by Keeneland, the Green Group, Coolmore, the PHBA, Lane's End, XBTV, and West Point Thoroughbreds.
ELMONT, NY -- With unhealthy air quality conditions continuing to impact Long Island and all of New York State due to the Canadian wildfires, live racing at Belmont Park Thursday--the first of three days of the highly anticipated Belmont Stakes Racing Festival--was canceled. Thursday's co-featured GII Wonder Again S. and Jersey Girl S. will be redrawn today and brought back for Sunday's card. As previously announced late Wednesday evening, training was canceled at both Saratoga Race Course and Belmont Park for Thursday morning. "Safety is paramount as we navigate this...
ELMONT, NY - With the rising sun attempting to make its way through hazy skies as air quality health advisories remain in effect throughout the New York City area due to the Canadian wildfires, eight of the nine GI Belmont Stakes runners were in action during the first hour of training on a cool Wednesday morning. Angel of Empire (Classic Empire) and Tapit Shoes (Tapit), both equipped with white bridles and NYRA's commemorative 50th Anniversary Secretariat Belmont S. saddle towels, made a favorable impression in their first day of training...
ELMONT, NY -- Last year's champion 2-year-old colt and 'TDN Rising Star' Forte (Violence), scratched on the morning of the GI Kentucky Derby with an untimely foot bruise, was tabbed as the 5-2 morning-line favorite for the 155th running of the GI Belmont Stakes at Tuesday's post-position draw held in the Triple Crown Lounge at Belmont Park. The Repole Stable and St. Elias Stable colorbearer, last seen defeating subsequent Kentucky Derby winner Mage (Good Magic) in dramatic fashion in the GI Curlin Florida Derby Apr. 1, will exit from post...
The Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance (TAA) will be at Belmont Park this weekend for the GI Belmont Stakes Racing Festival and will be honored with race to highlight accredited aftercare. The Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance Race will be Race 10, on Thursday with a post time of 7:45 p.m. Following the running of the race, a presentation will be made to the winning connections, which includes a branded blanket and swag bag. Additionally, the TAA will co-host the winning guests from one of the VIP experiences, donated by NYRA, auctioned off earlier...
GI Preakness S. winner National Treasure (Quality Road) worked five furlongs in :59.55 seconds over Belmont Park's main track on Monday in preparation for Saturday's $1.5 million GI Belmont S. With exercise rider Erick Garcia aboard, the colt galloped out six furlongs in 1:11.20 and seven furlongs in 1:25.20. "He worked very well this morning," trainer Bob Baffert's assistant, Jimmy Barnes, said. "It's a big track and you can find yourself lost out there. Erick did an excellent job working him and now we're just waiting for the race." National...
Blue Rose Farm's Arcangelo (Arrogate), last-out winner of the GIII Peter Pan S., worked five furlongs in 1:02.81 (2/5) at Belmont Park Wednesday in preparation for the June 10 GI Belmont S. New York Racing Association clockers caught the grey galloping out six-furlongs in 1:15 4/5 and seven-furlongs in 1:28 4/5. Javier Castellano was in the irons. "He's a nice, beautiful-moving horse and he did it easy. He's a good work horse. In the morning, you can work him :59 if you wanted," Castellano said. "We all know that [the...
In the wake of the tragic deaths of 12 horses at Churchill Downs, the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority (HISA) has called for an emergency summit. This presents both a moment of leadership for HISA and an important test for the independent directors of the Churchill Downs Corporation to protect shareholder interests and ensure the survival of the entire horse racing industry. They must step up and meet the moment or step down. This can be achieved by ending dirt racing in America and transitioning to synthetic surfaces. These heartbreaking...
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...
There were a lot of "firsts" associated with Fusaichi Pegasus, the 2000 GI Kentucky Derby winner who was euthanized at Ashford Stud May 23 due to old-age infirmities that had accumulated over his 26 years. As the first Derby winner of the 2000s decade, this high-spirited, headstrong son of Mr. Prospector had commanded a $4-million price tag at Keeneland July, then the highest price paid for a yearling at that sale in 13 years. And to this day, that auction price remains as the highest ever paid for any starter...