Tawny Port likely to start in Christophe Clement Stakes next

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – While the connections of Tawny Port ponder a start in the Melbourne Cup in November, there are plenty of domestic races on the agenda for the 7-year-old who won Thursday’s Belmont Gold Cup by 2 1/2 lengths.

Trainer Miguel Clement said the Grade 1, $750,000 Christophe Clement, previously known as the Sword Dancer, on Aug. 15, is an obviously target. The race was renamed in honor of Miguel Clement’s father who passed away in May 2025.

There are also one of two options at Kentucky Downs, the $750,000 Bowling Green Gold Cup Invitational at 2 1/16 miles on Sept. 3 or the $2 million Kentucky Turf Cup Invitational at 1 1/2 miles on Sept. 5. Last year, Tawny Port finished second in the Bowling Green Gold Cup.

:: DRF Belmont Stakes Packages: Save big on PPs, Clocker Reports, Betting Strategies, and more.

Miguel Clement felt rewarded for his faith in Tawny Port, who earned a career-best 101 Beyer Speed Figure for his Belmont Gold Cup victory. That was his first win since Tawny Port won the John’s Call in August 2023. He lost 17 straight races in between.

“I’ve probably been in the minority but I’ve been very high on the horse for two years,” Clement said “I felt like he finally rewarded us and won a big race. Even though he ran some great races he had a 17-race losing streak onour hands which is embarrassing to say. He missed a Grade 1 by a nose last year.”

:: Want to learn more about handicapping and wagering? Check out DRF's Handicapping 101 and Wagering 101 pages.