LEXINGTON, Ky. (June 4, 2021) – Throughout the year, the NTRA will provide a guide to the best stakes races in North America and beyond. Races are listed in chronological order (all times Eastern). Full previews, when available, can be found through the link for each race.
A talented group that includes Eclipse Award winner Essential Quality and Grade 1 Preakness Stakes winner Rombauer lead the eight-horse field for the 153rd running of the Grade 1, $1.5 million Belmont Stakes presented by NYRA Bets on Saturday at Belmont Park
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, last year’s Belmont was run on the third Saturday in June. This year it has returned to its usual spot on the calendar following the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness as the third and final jewel of Thoroughbred racing’s Triple Crown. It also will be contested again at its famed 1 1/2-mile distance in front of spectators.
Saturday’s 13-race card at Belmont will feature nine graded stakes and eight Grade 1 contests, including three Breeders’ Cup “Win and You’re In” races in the $1 million Hill ‘N’ Dale Metropolitan Handicap for 3-year-olds and up [Big Ass Fans Dirt Mile]; the $500,000 Ogden Phipps [Longines Distaff] for fillies and mares 4-years-old and up; and the $400,000 Jackpocket Jaipur [Turf Sprint] for 3-year-olds and up on the turf.
The Belmont Stakes is carded as Race 11 with a post time of 6:49 p.m. Eastern. NBC will have live coverage starting at 5 p.m.
Coverage from Belmont Park begins this Friday, June 4, at 5 p.m. ET on NBCSN and continues Saturday at 3 p.m. ET on NBCSN. NBC Sports will cover seven races live.
Horse Racing Radio Network (HRRN) will also broadcast the Belmont Stakes live with coverage beginning at 5 p.m. ET. The broadcast, produced in partnership with NBC Sports Audio Network can be heard across the U.S. on the NBC Sports Audio Network Sirius XM channel 211 with a simulcast of the coverage available on HRRN’s Sirius 219/XM 201.
TVG also will be broadcasting racing throughout the weekend from Santa Anita and Gulfstream Park, and more. Fans can tune in on TVG, TVG2 and the Watch TVG app, which is available on Amazon Fire, Roku and connected Apple TV devices.
“America’s Day at the Races” will be live on Friday, June 4 on FS2 from 12:30-5 p.m., and 6-6:30 p.m. A Belmont Stakes Preview will be televised from 6:30-7 p.m. on FS2. On Saturday, June 5 “America’s Day at the Races” will air on FS2 from 12:30-3 p.m., and again from 7:15-8:15 p.m. “America’s Day at the Races” returns on Sunday, June 6 with live coverage on FS2 from 12:30-6 p.m.
Friday, June 4
4:07 p.m. ― $300,000 Grade 2 True North Stakes at Belmont Park on FS2
Emerging as one of the nation’s top sprinters with back-to-back scores this spring, Lane’s End Racing and Hronis Racing’s 7-year-old Flagstaff takes on defending champion Firenze Fire in the $300,000 True North at 6 ½ furlongs. A seven-horse field of veteran runners has been entered with the 5-year-old Looking at Bikinis the youngest one in the race. Flagstaff, trained by John Sadler and ridden from post two by Luis Saez, won two 7-furlong races in the Grade 3 Commonwealth at Keeneland on April 3 and Grade 1 Churchill Downs Stakes presented by Ford on May 1. Mr. Amore Stable’s 6-year-old Florida-bred Firenze Fire, trained by Kelly Breen, has won 13 races, including the 2020 True North, which he captured by 1 ½ lengths. In his last start, Firenze Fire won the 6-furlong Grade 3 Runhappy Stakes at Belmont on May 8. Long Lake Stable, Madaket Stables, Thomas Coleman, and Doheny Racing Stable’s Looking at Bikinis prepped for the True North with a win in a 7-furlong optional allowance claiming race at Belmont on May 8.
Entries: https://www.equibase.com/static/entry/BEL060421USA7-EQB.html
4:40 p.m. ― $300,000 Grade 2 Bed o’ Roses Stakes at Belmont Park on FS2
Tommy Town Thoroughbreds’ Victim of Love leads the Grade 2, $300,000 Bed o’ Roses Stakes. The 5-year-old daughter of Speightstown has finished in the money in her last four starts including a victory in her 2021 debut, the Grade 3, 6 ½-furlong Vagrancy at Belmont on May 8. Holly Hill Stables’ 6-year-old Pacific Gale finished third as the 3-2 favorite in the Vagrancy. Trained by John Kimmel, Pacific Gale won the Grade 2 Inside Information and the Grade 3 Hurricane Bertie at Gulfstream Park this winter.
Entries: https://www.equibase.com/static/entry/BEL060421USA8-EQB.html
5:15 p.m. ― $750,000 Grade 2 New York Stakes at Belmont Park on NBCSN
A deep and talented field of 11 fillies and mares goes to the gate in the Grade 2, $750,000 New York Stakes at 1 ¼ miles on the turf led by Harvey’s Lil Goil and Mean Mary. Trained by Bill Mott and ridden from post five by Junior Alvarado, Harvey’s Lil Goil had a sharp 2021 debut when winning the Grade 3 Beaugay at 1 1/16 miles on May 8 at Belmont. A bay daughter of American Pharoah out of the Tapit mare Gloria S, Harvey’s Lil Goil won last October’s Grade 1 Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup at Keeneland and closed out her season with a third-place finish in the Grade 1 Maker’s Mark Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf, losing by about a half-length. Alex G. Campbell Jr.’s 5-year-old Mean Mary is the defending champion, romping home with a 5 ¼-length win in last year’s race. Trained by Graham Motion and ridden by Luis Saez from post seven, Mean Mary has won six of 10 starts, including her successful debut in the Grade 3 Gallorette Stakes at Pimlico, which she won by a half-length. Lael Stables Magic Attitude (GB) came from France last year and promptly won the Grade 1 Belmont Oaks Invitational in September and finished third in the Grade 1 Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup. In her most recent start, Magic Attitude won the 1 1/8-mile Grade 2 Sheepshead Bay Stakes at Belmont on May 1 by 3 lengths. An intriguing starter shipping from Ireland is the 3-year-old filly Thundering Nights (IRE), who won the Group 3 Snow Fairy Stakes at The Curragh last August for trainer Joseph O’Brien.
Entries: https://www.equibase.com/static/entry/BEL060421USA9-EQB.html
5:48 p.m. ― $400,000 Grade 2 Belmont Gold Cup at Belmont Park on NBCSN
O’Brien saddles the 8-5 morning line favorite in Baron Samedi (GB), leading nine stayers in the Grade 2 Belmont Gold Cup at 2 miles. Ridden by John Velazquez from post eight, Baron Samedi has won his last six starts, finishing 2020 by taking the Group 2 Prix de Conseil at Paris Longchamp on Oct. 25. He began 2021 with a 20-1 upset win in the Group 3 Vintage Crop Stakes at Navan on April 25 at 1 ¾ miles. Three Diamond Farm’s Tide of the Sea, trained by Mike Maker, will try to rebound from a seventh-place finish in Keeneland’s Grade 2, I ½-mile Elkhorn Stakes on April 17. A 5-year-old bay son of English Channel, Tide of the Sea won the Grade 3 James L. McKnight Stakes at Gulfstream in January. Flavien Prat has the mount from post 2.
Entries: https://www.equibase.com/static/entry/BEL060421USA10-EQB.html
Saturday, June 5
11:30 a.m. – $1,514,500 Group 1 Cazoo Derby at Epsom Downs in England on TVG
While the Belmont Stakes, first run in 1867, will be the American Classic of the day, the British will offer the historic Group 1 Cazoo Derby, first run in 1780 for 3-year-olds, at Epsom Downs. Mrs. John Magnier, Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith, and Westerberg’s Bolshoi Ballet (IRE), trained by Aidan O’Brien and ridden by Ryan Moore, is the favorite for the 1 ½-mile test with 12 entered. A winner of three of five starts, Bolshoi Ballet has won both his races this year, taking the Grade 3, 1 ¼-mile Ballysax Stakes at Leopardstown on April 11, and Group 2 Derrinstown Stud Derby Trial, also at Leopardstown on May 9. O’Brien has won the Epsom Derby a record eight times. Shadwell Estate Company’s Mohaafeth (IRE), trained by William Haggas, has won all three of his starts this year, the most recent being a 5-length win in the 1 ¼-mile Betfair Newmaket Stakes on May 1. Jim Crowley has the mount. Anamoine Limited’s John Leeper (IRE) was an impressive winner last time out in the listed 1 ¼-mile Betway Fairway Stakes at Newmarket on May 15 for trainer Ed Dunlop.
Entries: https://www.equibase.com/static/foreign/entry/EPS060521ENG5-EQB.html
12:47 p.m. ― $400,000 Grade 1 Woody Stephens Stakes Presented by Nassau County Industrial Development Agency
Kirk and Judy Robison’s Jackie’s Warrior, winner of the Grade 2 Pat Day Mile at Churchill Downs, leads a field of six 3-year-olds in the Grade 1 Woody Stephens going 7 furlongs. Trained by Steve Asmussen, Jackie’s Warrior finished fourth as the odds-on favorite in last year’s Grade 1 TVG Breeders’ Cup Juvenile. After a third-place finish in the Grade 3 Southwest at Oaklawn, trainer Steve Asmussen took Jackie’s Warrior off the Triple Crown trail and into the 1-mile Pat Day, where he finished a head better than Dream Shake. Joel Rosario has the mount on Jackie’s Warrior from post three. Owned by Exline-Border Racing, Peter Eurton, Richard Hausman and Stonestreet Stables, Dream Shake, trained by Eurton, finished third in the Grade 1 Runhappy Santa Anita Derby before the Pat Day Mile. The Saffie Joseph Jr.-trained Drain the Clock is three of four this year, and won the Grade 3 Bay Shore at Aqueduct on April 3.
Entries: https://www.equibase.com/static/entry/BEL060521USA3-EQB.html
1:22 p.m. ― $400,000 Grade 2 Brooklyn Stakes Presented by Northwell Health at Belmont on FS2
My Racehorse and Spendthrift Farm’s Tizamagician, a 9-length winner of the 1 ½-mile Grade 3 Tokyo City Handicap at Santa Anita, ships in to face eight rivals at the 1 ½-mile distance in the $400,000 Grade 2 Brooklyn Stakes for 4-year-olds and up. Trained by Richard Mandella, Flavien Prat will ride Tizamagician, a 4-year-old son of Tiznow, from post 8. Breaking next to Tizamagician in post nine is Flying P Stable’s 6-year-old Lone Rock, winner of the 1 ½-mile Isaac Murphy Marathon at Churchill Downs on April 27 for trainer Robertino Diodoro. Hall of Fame trainer Todd Pletcher sends out Shadwell Stable’s Ajaaweed, second in the Flat Out Stakes at Belmont on April 30 and Repole Stable and Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners’ Moretti, second in last year’s Grade 2 Suburban at Belmont, who is making his 2021 debut.
Entries: https://www.equibase.com/static/entry/BEL060521USA4-EQB.html
2:01 p.m. ― $500,000 Grade 1 Acorn Stakes at Belmont Park on FS2
Klaravich Stables’ Search Results is the even-money morning line favorite in a field of six 3-year-old fillies going 1 mile in the $500,000 Acorn Stakes. Trained by Chad Brown and ridden from post six by Irad Oritz Jr., Search Results finished a head behind Malathaat in the 1 1/8-mile Grade 1 Kentucky Oaks at Churchill Downs on April 30. The dark bay daughter of Flatter is three of four, including a win in the Grade 3 Gazelle at Aqueduct. OXO Exline’s Travel Column, fifth in the Kentucky Oaks as the 7-2 second choice, won the Grade 2 TwinSpires.com Fair Grounds Oaks for trainer Brad Cox in March. Tim Hamm and Siena Farm’s Dayoutoftheoffice, who is trained by Hamm, finished second in last year’s Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies, and finished second to 16-1 Obligatory in the 7-furlong Grade 2 Eight Belles at Churchill on April 30 as the 3-1 favorite. John Velazquez rides from post four. Juddmonte’s Obligatory, trained by Bill Mott, has two wins in four starts.
Entries: https://www.equibase.com/static/entry/BEL060521USA-EQB.html#RACE5
2:41 p.m. ― $400,000 Grade 1 Jackpocket Jaipur Stakes at Belmont Park on FS2
Twelve turf sprinters have been entered for the Grade 1 Jackpocket Jaipur Stakes at six furlongs, with the Wesley Ward-owned and trained Bound for Nowhere the 2-1 morning line choice in a wide-open race. A winner of seven of 15 starts, the 7-year-old Bound for Nowhere won the Grade 2 Shakertown at Keeneland on by a nose in his seasonal debut. Joel Rosario will ride Bound for Nowhere from post six. Brad Grady’s Fast Boat won the Grade 2 Twin Spires Turf Sprint at Churchill Downs by a half-length over Swifty Farms’ and Peter Miller-trained Sombeyay. Two mares in the field are the 6-year-old Got Stromy, a two-time Grade 1 winner for trainer Mark Casse, and the 7-year-old defending champion Oleksandra (AUS), who won last year’s race by a neck for trainer Neil Drysdale. The Jackpocket Jaipur winner will earn an automatic berth into the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint at Del Mar in November.
Entries: https://www.equibase.com/static/entry/BEL060521USA6-EQB.html
3:18 p.m. ― $500,000 Grade 1 Ogden Phipps at Belmont Park on NBCSN
St. George Stable’s Letruska leads six older fillies and mares in the Grade 1 1 1/8-mile Ogden Phipps. The 5-year-old Letruska, trained by Fausto Gutierrez, has won 13 of 18 starts, and her nose victory over Monomoy Girl in the Grade 1 Apple Blossom at Oaklawn Park on April 17 is her career highlight. The Brad Cox-trained Shedaresthedevil is two for two this year, taking the Grade 2 Azeri at Oaklawn and the Grade 1 La Troienne at Churchill Downs. Ridden by Florent Geroux from post five, Shedaresthedevil won last year’s Grade 1 Kentucky Oaks. Cox is also starting Juddmonte’s 4-year-old Bonny South, who won the Baird Doubledogdare at Keeneland on April 16. Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners, Martin Schwartz and CHC, Inc.’s Valiance, trained by Todd Pletcher, won last year’s Grade 1 Juddmonte Spinster and finished second to Monomoy Girl in the Grade 1 Longines Breeders’ Cup Distaff. The Ogden Phipps winner will gain a free starting position into this year’s Grade 1 Longines Breeders’ Cup Distaff. Last year’s 3-year-old filly champion Swiss Skydiver was scratched from the Ogden Phipps on Friday due to a fever.
Entries: https://www.equibase.com/static/entry/BEL060521USA7-EQB.html
3:58 p.m. ― $500,000 Grade 1 Longines Just a Game Stakes at Belmont Park on NBCSN
An extremely competitive field of 12 fillies and mares, including three from Chad Brown and two from Charlie Appleby are set to battle at one mile on turf in the Grade 1 Longines Just a Game. Peter Brant’s 5-year-old Blowout, trained by Brown and ridden by Flavien Prat from post 11, is the tepid 4-1 morning line favorite off her half-length win over the Bill Mott-trained New York Girl in the Grade 2 Longines Churchill Downs Distaff Turf Mile. Brown’s two other starters are Tamahere (FR), second in the Grade 1 Coolmore Jenny Wiley at Keeneland last out and Regal Glory, who was fourth in last year’s Just a Game, and won the black type Plenty of Grace Stakes at Aqueduct on April 11. Appleby has sent over from England two Godolphin 4-year-old fillies in Summer Romance (IRE) and Althiqa (GB), the first and third place-finishers, respectively, in the Group 2, 1-mile Balanchine Stakes at Meydan on Feb. 18.
Entries: https://www.equibase.com/static/entry/BEL060521USA8-EQB.html
4:42 p.m. ― $1 million Grade 1 Hill ‘N’ Dale Metropolitan Handicap at Belmont Park on NBC
A much-anticipated matchup between Korea Racing Authority’s Knicks Go and Cash is King and LC Racing’s Mischevious Alex is set for the $1 million Grade 1 Hill ‘N’ Dale Metropolitan Handicap at 1 mile with six runners entered. Trained by Brad Cox, the 5-year-old Knicks Go won last year’s Grade 1 Big Ass Fans Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile at Keeneland and this year’s Grade 1 Pegasus World Cup Invitational at Gulfstream. Ridden by Joel Rosario from post six, Knicks Go will be making his first start since finishing fourth in the Group 1 Saudi Cup in February. Mischevious Alex has won all three of his starts this year, punctuated by a terrific performance in the 7-furlong Grade1 Carter Handicap at Aqueduct by 5 1 /2 lengths. A 4-year-old son of Into Mischief, Mischevious Alex is trained by Saffie Joseph, Jr. Winchell Thoroughbreds and Willis Horton Racing’s 4-year-old Silver State, trained by Steve Asmussen, is also three for three this year, with his latest win coming in the Grade 2 Oaklawn Handicap on April 17. Ricardo Santana Jr. has the mount, breaking from post three. The winner of the Metropolitan Handicap will gain a free berth into the Grade 1 Big Ass Fans Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile.
https://www.equibase.com/static/entry/BEL060521USA9-EQB.html
5:28 ― $750,000 Grade 1 Resorts World Casino Manhattan Stakes at Belmont Park on NBC
Robert and Lawana Low’s Colonel Liam and Klaravich Stables’ Domestic Spending (GB), who finished in a dead heat for the win in the Grade 1 Old Forester Bourbon Turf Classic on May 1, headline the Grade 1 Resorts World Casino Manhattan Stakes. A field of 11 is set for the 1 1 /4-mile turf test for 4-year-olds and up. Colonel Liam, trained by Todd Pletcher, is unbeaten this year in three starts. In addition to the Turf Classic, the 4-year-old son of Liam’s Map won the Group 1 Pegasus World Cup Turf at Gulfstream Park in January and the Grade 2 Muniz Memorial Classic Stakes at the Fair Grounds. Domestic Spending, trained by Chad Brown, has won five of six starts, including last November’s Grade 1 Hollywood Derby at Del Mar. Flavien Prat has the mount, starting from post four. Otter Bend Stables’ Gufo, trained by Christophe Clement and ridden by Joel Rosario from post nine, won last year’s Grade 1 Belmont Derby Invitational Stakes, and was second by a nose to Channel Cat in the Grade 1 Man o‘ War at Belmont in his 2021 debut on May 8. Prior to the Man o’ War, Channel Cat, trained by Jack Sisterson for Calumet Farm, was second in the Grade 2 Elkhorn Stakes at Keeneland.
https://www.equibase.com/static/entry/BEL060521USA10-EQB.html
5:30 p.m.― $150,000 Grade 3 Monmouth Stakes at Monmouth Park on TVG
Chad Brown has entered two formidable choices in Tribhuvan (FR) and Devamani (FR) leading a 10-horse field, with two also-eligibles, in the $150,000 Grade 3 Monmouth Stakes at 1 1/8 miles on the turf. Tribhuvan, owned by Michael Dubb, Madaket Stables, Wonder Stables and Michael J. Caruso, won the Grade 2 Fort Marcy at Belmont on May 1 in his seasonal debut. Carlos Hernandez has the mount on the son of Toronado (IRE), from post 6. The 7-year-old Devamani, owned by Dubb, Sanford Goldfarb and Samuel Abraham, fourth in the Fort Marcy, won last October’s Grade 2 Knickerbocker at Belmont. Nik Juarez rides, breaking from post four. Augustin Stable’s 6-year-old gelding Corelli, trained by Jonathan Thomas, finished third in last year’s Grade 1 United Nations Stakes at Monmouth. In his first start this year, Corelli, ridden from post nine by Jevian Toledo, won the listed Henry S. Clark Stakes at Pimlico on April 24.
Entries: https://www.equibase.com/static/entry/MTH060521USA-EQB.html#RACE12
6:49 p.m. ― $1,500,000 Grade 1 Belmont Stakes Presented by NYRA Bets at Belmont Park on NBC
John and Diane Fradkin’s homebred Rombauer, upset winner of the Grade 1 Preakness Stakes and Godolphin’s Essential Quality, who finished fourth as the 5-2 favorite in the Grade 1 Kentucky Derby presented by Woodford Reserve, lead the eight-horse field for the 1 ½-mile Grade 1 Belmont Stakes for 3-year-olds – the third jewel of Thoroughbred racing’s Triple Crown. Trained by Michael McCarthy and ridden from post three by John Velazquez, Rombauer won the Preakness at 12-1 after finishing third in the Grade 2 Toyota Blue Grass on April 3, and winning the listed El Camino Real Derby at Golden Gate Fields in February. Essential Quality, the 2020 Juvenile champion, won both the Grade 3 Southwest at Oaklawn and the Blue Grass prior to the Derby. Essential Quality, ridden by Luis Saez from post two, will be trainer Brad Cox’s first starter in the Belmont Stakes. Four other Derby starters ― Hot Rod Charlie, Rock Your World, Known Agenda and Bourbonic ― also have not raced since the Run for the Roses. Trained by Doug O’Neill, Grade 2 Louisiana Derby winner Hot Rod Charlie finished third in the Derby. Grade 1 Runhappy Santa Anita Derby winner Rock Your World broke poorly in the Derby and could not get into the race, winding up 17th. Two of Todd Pletcher’s runners, Known Agenda and Bourbonic, finished ninth and 13th respectively, in the Derby. Pletcher’s third Belmont starter, Overtook, finished third in the Grade 3 Peter Pan at Belmont on May 8. France Go de Ina, from Japan, will try to improve on his seventh-place performance in the Preakness.
Entries: https://www.equibase.com/static/entry/BEL060521USA11-EQB.html
7:52 p.m. ― $200,000 Grade 2 Monrovia Stakes at Santa Anita Park on TVG
Ciaglia Racing LLC, Highland Yard LLC, River Oak Farm and Domenic Savides’ Venetian Harbor leads eight older fillies and mares in the Grade 2 Monrovia Stakes at 6 ½ furlongs on turf at Santa Anita. A 4-year-old by Munnings, trained by Richard Baltas and ridden from post seven by Mario Gutierrez, Venetian Harbor has won three of eight races, including Grade 2 wins in the Las Virgenes at Santa Anita and in the Lexus Raven Run at Keeneland. Saturday’s race will be her first start since finishing eighth in the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Sprint. Keith Abrams Constantia, trained by John Sadler and ridden from post three by Umberto Rispoli, will be making her graded-stakes debut. She has won three of four starts this year, the latest being the listed Mizdirection Stakes over the course on April 17. The Richard Mandella-trained Superstition finished second in the Mizdirection following a victory in the black type Wishing Well on Feb. 15 at Santa Anita.
Entries – https://www.equibase.com/static/entry/SA060521USA7-EQB.html