Inaugural Gold Cup Invitational to test runners at two miles

ELMONT, N.Y. – The marathon specialist Twilight Eclipse and the Canadian classic-winning filly Irish Mission are among an eclectic group lining up to contest the inaugural $200,000 Belmont Gold Cup Invitational, a two-mile turf event Friday at Belmont Park.

Twilight Eclipse is the 9-5 favorite on the morning line on the strength of his three graded stakes victories at 1 1/2 miles. In his most recent North American start, the gelding won the Grade 2 Mac Diarmida Stakes at 11 furlongs; however, he is looking to get his season back on track after a trip to Dubai, where he finished 12th of 15 in the Group 1 Dubai Sheema Classic in March. Trainer Tom Albertrani said the Gold Cup could be a stepping-stone to the Grade 2 Bowling Green Handicap next month at Belmont.

“This horse prefers going longer,” Albertrani said. “The longer, the better for him. Most of his races are at a mile and a half. It seems like it’s his best distance, a mile and three-eighths, or a mile and a half, even better. … I’ve worked him only a few times since we’ve been back, but it seems like he has plenty of energy. This race will bring him a step forward, I think.”

Twilight Eclipse drew post 11 in the field of 12, and Jose Lezcano has the mount.

Irish Mission, who finished third in the Grade 2 Sheepshead Bay Stakes on May 24 at Belmont, was not a certainty to start, with trainer Christophe Clement still weighing the merits of a relatively quick turnaround.

“I’m going to talk to the owner, and we’ll probably make a decision Thursday,” Clement said. “She’s a stayer. It’s [coming back] a little bit quick, but it’s a fun race because we won’t get to go two miles very often.”

Irish Mission was named Canada’s champion 3-year-old filly and champion grass female of 2012, when she won the Breeders’ Stakes, the final leg of the Canadian Triple Crown, at 1 1/2 miles on turf. She also won the Woodbine Oaks and finished second in the Queen’s Plate.

Trainer Graham Motion entered a trio of horses, including the Irish-bred Auld Alliance, coming off an allowance victory at 1 1/4 miles on the Belmont turf in his U.S. debut. Motion also entered Draw Two and Eagle Poise.

Stakes winner Charming Kitten, the second choice on the morning line, has a pair of wins in allowance company this year but has been unplaced in his three graded stakes tries this year. Todd Pletcher is taking the blinkers off the colt as he attempts to stretch out him out.

The steeplechase specialist Spy in the Sky, a Grade 1 winner over hurdles, is looking for his first victory since August 2012.

The Belmont Gold Cup, the 10th and final race on Friday’s program, is the first leg of a two-day daily double that links to Saturday’s Belmont Stakes.