There were a number of thrilling graded races from last weekend at Belmont Park. Below, we will go through the winners of each of the biggest races that took place on the card.
Bed O’ Roses Stakes
Grade 3 action was on the agenda in the Bed O’ Roses Stakes; as fillies aged four and older raced across seven furlongs. Estilo Talentoso was the commanding winner of the race, as the four-year-old clocked a time of 1:22.96. She was pushed for the victory down the final couple of furlongs by Lake Avenue; but she held on to win by a neck, as connections took home $165,000. Bayerness was back in third, as she finished a length and a quarter behind Lake Avenue.
Belmont Gold Cup
The prestigious Belmont Gold Cup also took place on Friday, as horses aged four and older competed over two miles. Baron Samedi was the heavy favorite in the betting for the race and stormed home to win in a time of 3:27.30. The Joseph O’Brien-trained horse finished in one of the slowest times in recent memory but did break the record for the largest winning margin. John Velazquez picked up a second win in the race, as Baron Samedi finished two and three-quarter lengths clear of Fantasioso. Ajourneytofreedom was back in third.
New York Stakes
The most lucrative prize pot was on offer in the New York Stakes, as there was a purse of $750,000 for the Grade 2. Mean Mary made history by becoming only the third horse in the history of the race to win for a second time. The five-year-old finished in a time of 2:04.68, as she finished a nose ahead of Irish-bred Thundering Nights. My Sister Nat was back in third. Mean Mary has now won her last two and retained her perfect record at Belmont Park.
True North Stakes
Firenze Fire’s excellent record at Belmont Park continued on Friday, as he won the True North Stakes for the second year running. The Kelly Breen-trained horse is the only horse in the history of this race to have won the True North on two occasions, and he clocked a winning time of 1:15.52 to win the race this year. The six-year-old finished a length and a half clear of Flagstaff, while American Power was back in third. Connections for Firenze Fire picked up $165,000 of the $300,000 purse for the race.
Intercontinental Stakes
There were also two thrilling graded races from June 8th at Belmont Park, with the G3 Intercontinental Stakes being one of those. Change of Control was the winner of the race, as she clocked a winning time of 1:22.07 over the seven-furlong distance. She finished a length and a half ahead of Piedi Bianchi, while Madeleine Must was back in third on her second start in the United States.
Wonder Again Stakes
The lucrative Wonder Again Stakes also took place on Thursday, with a purse of $200,000 available for winning connections. The race was run over 1 1/8 miles and was won by Con Lima in a time of 1:50.84. Con Lima finished half a length clear of Plum Ali to give trainer Todd Pletcher a second straight win in the Grade 3. Gift List finished back in third. Con Lima has now won her last two, and the victory was also a second Grade 3 success. A return to Grade 2 company could be on the agenda for her next run.
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