ELMONT, N.Y. – If Edgar Prado is able to pull off another upset in Saturday’s Belmont Stakes, not only will it make him just the 10th rider to win this race at least three times, but he may actually be able to enjoy the victory.
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DRF Past Performances
ELMONT, N.Y. − It’s not a stretch to suggest what Calvin Borel is to Churchill Downs, John Velazquez is to Belmont Park.
Since the retirement of Pat Day, Borel has become the master of Churchill Downs, especially in the track’s biggest race, the Kentucky Derby, which he has won three of the last five years. While Velazquez hasn’t been quite as successful in the Belmont Stakes − he is 1 for 14 − his overall knowledge, experience, and record of success here is vast.
GRAND PRAIRIE, Texas – Lil Cherokee could become the latest stakes winner for his dam, Western Lil, on Saturday, when he starts as the probable favorite in the $100,000 colts and geldings division of the Texas Thoroughbred Association Sales Futurity at Lone Star Park.
The five-furlong race will share a card with the $100,000 fillies division of the TTA Sales Futurity. This is the first year there were no trials, and had there been overflow entries, first preference would have been gone to horses with the highest earnings. As it stands, each field drew nine runners.
Ruby’s Big Band is based at Canterbury Park with trainer Charlie Smith but has shown a particular fondness for the Assiniboia Downs oval, scoring in six of eight appearances through her first two campaigns.
On Saturday, Ruby’s Big Band will be moving into the older filly and mare ranks when she faces seven rivals in the $25,000 La Verendrye, a six-furlong stakes that is the first for the division at the meeting.
Ruby’s Big Band, owned by Terry Propps, has been busy this season, starting seven times and winning allowance races at Sam Houston and Canterbury.
ELMONT, N.Y. − Both times that Travelin Man has drawn inside posts, he has failed to win despite being a strong favorite. He will try to end that streak Saturday, when he breaks from the rail as the likely favorite in the Grade 2, $250,000 Woody Stephens Stakes, part of the Belmont Stakes undercard at Belmont Park.
A mere length separated the first three finishers in the Miss Preakness Stakes at Pimlico on Preakness eve, which adds to the appeal of a rematch involving R Holiday Mood, Strike the Moon, and Bold Affair in Saturday’s $200,000 Jostle Stakes for 3-year-old fillies at Parx Racing.
Based on Beyer Speed Figures, however, recent maiden winner Ms. Crusen’ or former maiden-claimer Amylimehouse could play the spoiler’s role in the 6 1/2-furlong sprint.
Whether Manicero runs Saturday at Calder will be the key question in the $75,000 Unbridled Stakes, one of four stakes to be decided on Saturday’s Summit of Speed Preview card.
The Unbridled is one of 12 races on the program, which also includes the U Can Do It Handicap, Leave Me Alone Stakes, and Ponche Handicap. Each stakes will be decided at six furlongs and is a prep for a graded stakes on the July 9 Summit of Speed card. The Unbridled serves as a prep for the Grade 2 Carry Back.
Giant Ryan will try for his fourth straight win when he makes his Calder debut in the $75,000 Ponche Handicap, one of four stakes to be run on Saturday's Summit of Speed Preview card.
The Ponche is one of 12 races on the program, which also includes the U Can Do It Handicap, Leave Me Alone Stakes, and Unbridled Stakes. Each stakes will be decided at six furlongs and is a prep for a graded stakes on the July 9 Summit of Speed card. The Ponche serves as a prep for the Grade 2 Smile Sprint Handicap.