NYRA unveils the first in its mega-day strategy June 7 when it moves races like the Met Mile, Ogden Phipps, Acorn, and Brooklyn to Belmont Stakes day in an effort to ramp up interest, quality, and handle.
The Metropolitan Handicap (gr. I) and four other graded stakes will be added to the Belmont Stakes (gr. I) card in 2014 for a June 7 race day that will offer 10 stakes and $8 million in total purses.
Marathoner Birdrun is entered for a repeat chance in the Brooklyn Handicap (gr. II). Redeemed is the 5-2 morning-line choice for the June 5 feature, run at the Belmont Stakes (gr. I) distance: one lap around 'Big Sandy.'
Trainer Pat Kelly was about to take Evening Attire out of stakes competition, to try the 10-year-old gelding in a few allowance races or to pick spots in turf routes as a main-track-only entry. But the seasoned runner turned in such a solid performance in his last start that NYRA stakes coordinator Andrew Byrnes was able to convince Kelly to tackle the $200,000 Brooklyn Handicap (gr. II) at Belmont Park.
New millionaire Limehouse hadn't won a race in nearly 14 months, but he has now won two in a row after taking the $250,000 Brooklyn Handicap (gr. II) at Belmont Park Saturday.
Funny Cide, the 2003 champion and dual classic winner, and grade I winner Evening Attire head a field of nine in Saturday's Brooklyn Handicap (gr. II) at Belmont Park. The two multi-millionaires, the only seven-figures earners in the 117th running of the race, competed against each other four times last year.
Grade II winner Seattle Fitz, who was retired last month with an ankle injury, will stand in 2005 at Doug Arnold's Buck Pond Farm near Versailles, Ky.
A short but select field of six older runners were entered for Saturday's $250,000 Brooklyn Handicap (gr. II) at Belmont Park, including Breeders' Cup Classic (gr. I) winner Volponi and graded stakes winners Harlan's Holiday and Evening Attire.
Volponi and Evening Attire are slated to face off in Saturday's Brooklyn Handicap at Belmont Park. The race is the first leg of the NTRA's Summer Pick 3, which includes the Leonard Richards Stakes from Delaware and the Stephen Foster from Churchill Downs.
Godolphin Racing's E Dubai makes his first start since finishing second in last September's Super Derby (gr. I) at Louisiana Downs when he faces eight other horses in Saturday's $250,000 Brooklyn Handicap (gr. II) at Belmont Park.
Permitting herself a respite from the heavy air of anticipation on Belmont Stakes eve, Donna Ward flashed a broad smile as she skipped gracefully across the winner's circle and onto the main track at Belmont Park.
