Belmont Park Notes | |
| By Francis LaBelle Jr. | October 22, 2008 |
On Friday, in addition to its live nine-race card that begins at 1 p.m., Belmont Park will offer wagering on Day 1 of the 25th Breeders’ Cup World Championships from the Oak Tree at Santa Anita meeting. Santa Anita’s first race on Friday will be at 2:05 p.m. Eastern. The major races that day are the Filly & Mare Sprint (3:35 p.m.), the Juvenile Fillies Turf (4:15 p.m.), the Juvenile Fillies (4:55 p.m.) and the big race on the day, $2 million Ladies’ Classic (7:15 p.m.), where undefeated Zenyatta will try for her ninth victory. There is no advance wagering for Friday’s Breeders’ Cup races; however, fans will be able to advance wager on Friday for Saturday’s Breeders’ Cup card that features defending Horse of the Year Curlin and his bid to repeat as winner of the Breeders’ Cup Classic. Saturday, Belmont Park will host seven live races, featuring the 56th running of the Grade 3, $150,000 Sport Page Handicap for three-year-olds and up at seven furlongs and 49th running of the Grade 3, $100,000-added Knickerbocker Handicap for three-year-olds and up at nine furlongs on the inner turf course. Expected for the Sport Page are Team Valor International’s Aquino (URU), Dynamic Equine Racing’s Dubai Distinction, Harry C. Meyerhoff’s Eternal Star, E. Paul Robsham Stables’ Gold Trippi, Fox Hill Farm’s Kodiak Kowboy, Zayat Stable’s Premium Wine, Lindy M. Redding’s Ravalo and Malih Al Basti Racing Stable’s Shopton Lane. Likely for the Knickerbocker are Ol Memorial Stable’s Buffalo Man, Dogwood Stable’s Drum Major, Carol Nyren’s Dry Martini, Godolphin Stable’s Formal Decree (GER), Edward P. Evans’ Giant Wrecker, Elliot Mavorah’s Interpatation, Dion A. Recachina’s Operation Red Dawn, Gary A. Tanaka’s Proudinsky and Jayeff B Stable’s Strike a Deal. Saturday’s Breeders’ Cup races from Santa Anita (all times are Pacific) will start in race 1 with the Marathon (10:10 a.m.), followed by the Turf Sprint (10:50 a.m.), Dirt Mile (11:30 a.m.), Mile (12:15 p.m.), Juvenile (12:55 a.m.), Juvenile Fillies (1:35 p.m.), Sprint (2:15 p.m.), Turf (3 p.m.) and Classic (3:45 p.m.). There will be two additional races offered at Santa Anita following the Classic, with the 11th race going to post at 4:55 p.m. Pacific. Saturday is also Evening Attire Day at Belmont Park, honoring the recently-retired 10-year-old gelding whose thrilling come-from-behind victories in New York over the course of eight seasons made him a fan favorite. Evening Attire and his connections, including owners Joseph and Mary Grant and T.J. Kelly, as well as his trainer, Pat Kelly and former trainer, Tim Kelly, will take part in a special winner’s circle presentation between races Saturday afternoon. Videos of his victories, ranging from his maiden win in 2000 to his Breeders’ Cup “Win and You’re In” score in the Greenwood Cup in July, 2008, will be shown throughout the day on television monitors, and fans can take photos of Evening Attire in the saddling area before the ceremony. Sunday’s feature race will be the 14th running of the Grade 3, $100,000-added Turnback the Alarm Handicap for fillies and mares, 3 and up, at a mile and an eighth. Helen C. Alexander’s Altesse, Aurora Springs Stable’s Nijinsky’s Bullet, Millennium Farms’ Rolling Sea and Stronach Stables’ Spring Waltz are likely participants. Additionally on Sunday, fans can participate in the popular Pick the Pros & Ponies contest. It’s a free contest, in which contestants must correctly pick the winners of four designated National Football League games as well as the winners of races 3 and 5 on the day’s card for the chance to win a $1,000 prize. All entries must be in by 1 p.m. |









