Christiecat highlights Belmont opener

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – After three dark days on this circuit, Belmont Park opens its 38-day meet Friday with a nine-race card topped by the $100,000 Christiecat Stakes for 3-year-old fillies at six furlongs on the turf.

A field of 11 was entered in the Christiecat, topped by Miss Ella, a Grade 2 stakes winner on dirt who finished second to Lady Shipman in the Coronation Cup on turf here Aug. 3. Lady Shipman came back to win the Smart N Fancy Stakes, her fourth consecutive victory and eighth in 10 career starts.

Devine Aida makes her first start on turf since winning the Ginger Brew Stakes at Gulfstream in January and makes her first start for trainer Christophe Clement.

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Also entered were Darling Sky and Ancient Goddess, third and fourth in the Coronation Cup; Sunnysammi, Sister Sophia, All in Fun, Asia, Coco’s Wildcat, My Cara Mia, and Spark.

First post most days for the Belmont meet will be 12:55 p.m. The meet runs through Nov. 1.

◗ When Belmont opens Friday, jockey Ruben Silvera will begin serving a 10-day careless riding suspension dating back to an incident July 10 at Belmont. Silvera originally appealed the suspension but has recently dropped the appeal.

Silvera was aboard Mini Muffin, and he cut in front of Yourcreditisgood, causing that horse to clip heels and unseating jockey Rajiv Maragh, who suffered significant injuries that have sidelined him at least through the remainder of this year.