Grey skies and damp conditions greeted Belmont Stakes (gr. I) day at Belmont Park on Long Island June 11. With an hour to go before the first post, a light rain continues to fall.
Overnight rains left large puddles of water and soggy going on the backstretch at Belmont. Temperatures in the area were in the mid 60s.
Morning activity at Belmont saw the arrival of the last two Belmont Stakes starters: Monzon and Ruler on Ice. Ruler on Ice was led into Barn 16, the home of fellow Belmont starter Santiva and Monzon was settled into Barn 3.
The forecast for the day in Elmont, N.Y., calls for scattered thundershowers during the remainder of the morning and early afternoon with a high temperature in the low 70s. There should be a break in the rain activity during the afternoon hours with a chance of showers returning in early evening.
The main track has been rated "good" with an hour to go before the first race and the turf course has also been listed as "good." The first stakes, the TVG Acorn Stakes (gr. I) for 3-year-old fillies is 2:34 p.m.
Here are the scratches from today's stakes races:
From the True North Handicap (gr. II): No, 4, Rule by Night ; No. 7, Frazil
From the Woody Stephens Stakes (gr. II): No. 4, Bold Warrior
From the Woodford Reserve Manhattan Stakes (gr. IT): No. 1, Wishful Tomcat (entry with Mission Approved)
The weather for Belmont day couldn't be any more different from just two days ago, when racing was canceled at Belmont Park due to excessive heat. Temperatures on June 9 were in the mid 90s with air quality warnings issued from the National Weather Service.
