BELMONT STAKES DAY G1 ACTION

The countdown to the Breeders’ Cup will begin to start following this weekend on the Belmont Stakes Day, as the Triple Crown series is brought to a close. Horses involved in three of the most prestigious Grade 1s this weekend will be looking to book their spot at the Breeders’ Cup by winning at Belmont Park, and below, we will run down some of the leading contenders for each of the Belmont Stakes Day races.

Hill ‘N’ Dale Metropolitan Mile

One of the most competitive Grade 1s that will take place at Belmont Park this weekend will be the Metropolitan Mile. The winning horse in the race will earn his spot in the Breeders’ Cup Dirt mile. There is a purse of $1 million available in this race, with horses aged three and older competing.

It is an extremely difficult race to call, with four horses all very evenly matched. Knicks Go will be the horse at the top of the betting for trainer Brad Cox, as he looks for a second win in three starts this year. He won the Pegasus World Cup Invitational Stakes before being outlasted in the G1 Saudi Cup in February.

Silver State and Dr Post also have obvious claims. However, Mischevious Alex may be the leading rival. The four-year-old has won on all three starts this season, including back-to-back graded victories. He was excellent most recently in the G1 Carter Handicap, and we would expect a repeat performance against a talented field.

The Jackpot Jaipur Stakes

The Jackpot Jaipur Stakes is the sixth race on the card at Belmont Park on Saturday, as horses aged three and older compete over six furlongs on turf. There is a huge prize for the winning connections in this race, as the horse will automatically be entered into the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint later in the year.

Bound For Nowhere comes into this race in the most respected form, as he recently won the Grade 2 Shakertown. That was a fine reappearance, but this will be just his second start at Belmont.

Got Stormy is still hugely respected despite finishing fifth in the Distaff Turf Mile, while Fast Boat will be looking for a second straight graded victory after winning the Grade 2 Twin Spires Turf Sprint last time out.

Gregorian Chant could be a selection at a bigger price that could run well, as he has won his last three, with all victories coming this calendar year. His only graded victory during that run came in the Grade 3 San Simeon Stakes, but he was very impressive in an allowance last time out at Santa Anita.

Ogden Phipps Stakes

The prize of a place in the Breeders’ Cup Distaff will be on offer in the Ogden Phipps Stakes. This race is run over 1 1/16 miles, and horses that are four and older can enter.

There is talent everywhere that you look in this race, with Swiss Skydiver, Letruska, and Shedaresthedevil all entered. Swiss Skydiver has won one from two this year, with her victory coming in the G1 Beholder Mile Stakes. She was beaten on her last start in the Apple Blossom Handicap by Letruska, who will certainly be the one to beat this weekend.

The Fausto Gutierrez-trained mare has won two from three in 2021, as she has also won the Grade 3 Houston Ladies Classic Stakes. Shedaresthedevil has won two from two in 2021, as she most recently won the La Troienne Stakes. Valiance and Bonny South add further intrigue to the race.

Valiance was second in the Breeders’ Cup Distaff on her last start, while Bonny South won the Grade 3 Doubledogdare. Water White could also be one to keep an eye on, as she was an impressive second in the Grade 2 Ruffian on her last start.

Make sure to check Horse Racing Tote for all the latest horse news; weekend race results, graded stakes, and so much more. For current fixed odds check here.

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