Big Apple Showcase Day for New York-breds at Belmont Park has solid fields for all six of its stakes races. The $200,000 Commentator Stakes and $125,000 Kingston Stakes have drawn many top older runners.
Things may not have gone as well as they could have for Governor Malibu in the Empire State's most iconic 3-year-old races this season, but in starts against his fellow New York-breds the Malibu Moon colt has been dominant.
Favored Blacktype, an impressive winner of an allowance race at Belmont Park in his previous start, rallied in the stretch to win the $158,500 Oceanport Stakes (gr. IIIT) July 31 at Monmouth Park.
Since moving down to Florida in September, Crossed Sabres Farm's Lochte has been unbeatable. He continued his streak Nov. 21 at Gulfstream Park West, claiming the $100,000 Tropical Turf Handicap (gr. IIIT).
Crossed Sabres Farm's Lochte, upset winner of the 2014 Gulfstream Park Turf Handicap (gr. IT), tops the field for the $100,000 Tropical Turf Handicap (gr. IIIT) at Gulfstream Park West Nov. 21.
Former claimer Royal Posse will try for his second straight stakes win against other New York-breds and third victory overall when he faces an expected eight rivals in the $300,000 Empire Classic Handicap.
The 11th installment in the rivalry between New York-breds Lubash and Kharafa was staged Sept. 20 at Belmont Park, where Kharafa easily got past his opponent in the stretch and went on victory.
With one of his familiar rivals looking to play spoiler, Lubash will try to win $125,000 Ashley T. Cole Stakes for New York-bred 3-year-olds and older a second straight year and third time overall Sept. 29 at Belmont Park.
The Aug. 28 card at Saratoga Race Course, on the eve of Travers Stakes (gr. I) Day, will feature six New York-bred stakes worth $1.15 million, highlighted by a showdown of older turf runners in the $150,000 West Point.
Crossed Sabres Farm's Lochte hopes to get back on the winning track as the 5-year-old gelded son of Medaglia d'Oro tops the field for the $150,000 Oceanport Stakes (gr. III) Aug. 2 at Monmouth Park.
After cruising to victory in an allowance/optional claiming race May 2 at Belmont Park, stakes winner Ostrolenka appears ready to deliver a top effort in the $125,000 Mike Lee Stakes for New York-bred 3-year-olds May 25.
Lady Sheila Stable's La Verdad found her way back to the Belmont Park winner's circle Oct. 18, landing the $150,000 Iroquois on Empire Showcase Day for her fifth stakes score of the year.
Discreet Marq, a New York-bred who has competed primarily in grade I company since winning the 2013 Del Mar Oaks (gr. IT), tops the oversubscribed field of fillies and mares entered in the Oct. 18 Ticonderoga Stakes.
Dayatthespa and Big Blue Kitten, two familiar faces from the barn of trainer Chad Brown, head the respective fields for the De La Rose and the Lure, two $100,000 turf races on the Whitney undercard Aug. 2 at Saratoga.
Front-running Sayaad, making his first appearance in more than eight months, drew away from favored Kharafa in the stretch to capture the $147,000 Forbidden Apple Stakes on a yielding turf July 4 at Belmont Park.
Kharafa had a an ideal trip to comfortably win the $125,000 Kingston Stakes from familiar rival Lubash May 31 at Belmont Park.
Although he figures to be challenged early in the Appleton Stakes (gr. IIIT) March 29 at Gulfstream Park, Mr. Online is the 5-2 morning-line choice to return to his winning ways in the one-mile turf race.
The New York Racing Association, which has touted claims of transparency since it was taken over by the state, approved no items at its Feb. 26 board of directors meeting before quickly going into executive session.
King Kreesa and Notacatbutallama headline Mohawk, while filly Effie Trinket seeks second stakes score in Ticonderoga Stakes Oct. 19 at Belmont Park.
Godolphin Racing's Alpha, who dead-heated for first in last year's Travers Stakes (gr. I), is set to make his next start July 6 in the $350,000 Suburban Handicap (gr. II) at Belmont Park.
Nikki's Sandcastle rallied from the back of the bulky field of 13 to win the $75,000 El Prado Stakes on the turf at Gulfstream Park Dec. 22 by three-quarters of a length over 17-1 outsider Kharafa.
Hessonite registered a 5 1/4-length romp in the $150,000 John Hettinger Stakes and Lubash outlasted favored Compliance Officer in the $150,000 Ashley T. Cole Stakes, both for New York-breds, Sept. 9 at Belmont Park.
Pam and Martin Wygod's Clear Attempt stalked a leisurely early pace and rolled home a winner in the $150,000 Poker Stakes (gr. IIIT) July 4 at Belmont Park.
Compliance Officer, a four-time stakes winner against New York-breds, gets an important Independence Day test against open company in the $150,000 Poker Handicap (gr. IIIT) on the Widener turf course at Belmont Park.
Giant Ryan stole the show at the New York Thoroughbred Breeders' annual awards banquet April 2, winning top honors as 2011 New York-bred Horse of the Year, champion older male, and champion male sprinter.
| Horse | Trainer | Breeder / Owner |
|---|---|---|
| Compliance Officer | Bruce R. Brown |
|
| Hear the Footsteps | Bruce R. Brown |
|
| Hidden Vow | Philip M. Serpe |
|
| Kharafa | Timothy A. Hills |
|
| Sir Leslie | Philip M. Serpe |
|
| Special Selection | Bruce R. Brown |
|
| Street Game | Jamie Ness |
|
| Race | Track | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Albuquerque Distaff H. | ALB | |
| Eddie Read S. (G2T) | DMR | |
| TVG San Diego H. (G2) | DMR | |
| Don Bernhardt S. | ELP | |
| New York Oaks | FL |
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