Let's Go To The Races

Monday, June 15, 2015

ROYAL ASCOT 2015

Let's Go To The Races - June 16-20
This is a non-commercial blog

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Art Sherman and Steve Coburn at Royal Ascot

The Shermans at Royal Ascot

ABIGAIL'S ROYAL ASCOT PREVIEW - Updated to include Thursday-Saturday
Time Ordered Races / Entries - click here - All updated through Saturday
Note: Check back daily for updates to each of these links above

News from Royal Ascot
Bill Oppenheim: Royal Ascot Scoreboard
At The Races site for Results - Click on Ascot, choose day
Ryan Moore establishes new Royal Ascot riding record
Solow wins Queen Anne Stakes
Galileo's Gleneagles Takes the St James's Palace
Queen Mary S - Scat Daddy's Acapulco for Wesley Ward - ATR Result
Scat Daddy's Acapulco Powers to Queen Mary Triumph: Coolmore's Acapulco (Scat Daddy) streaks to an imperious victory in Royal Ascot's G2 Queen Mary S. (Video will be embedded)
Ward strikes with Acapulco in Queen Mary
Mastercraftsman's Amazing Maria Shocks the Duke of Cambridge: Sir Robert Ogden's Amazing Maria (Ire) (Mastercratsman {Ire}) swoops for shock in Royal Ascot's Duke of Cambridge S.
ATR Duke of Cambridge race result

News
News - Ground key to Rules Gold Cup bid | irishracing.com
Hootenanny seeks Commonwealth Cup at Royal Ascot on Friday
No Royal Ascot for California Chrome
Brown Panther out of Gold Cup
Able Friend, Criterion, Spielberg hope to star at Royal Ascot
Brisnet: A truly international week in store
Chrome will give every ounce of his heart
Long version of interview with Steve Coburn about their Royal Ascot adventure

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FEATURED RACES

ROYAL ASCOT - JUNE 16-20, 2015

NOTE: LONDON IS 5 HOURS AHEAD OF NEW YORK
At some of the links -- At the Races -- times are London time. Below, times have been adjusted to New York time.

Races and Runners - CARDS

For odds, Timeform's View, ATR Prediction - click here
Day by Day guide

To view the runners, please click on the title of the race. Times are EDT

DAY ONE

Tuesday, 16th June 2015 - Highlights - click here
9:30 am	THE QUEEN ANNE STAKES
10:05am	THE COVENTRY STAKES
10:40 am	THE KING'S STAND STAKES - Race Replay
11:20am	THE ST JAMES'S PALACE STAKES
12:00 pm	THE ASCOT STAKES
12:35 pm	THE WINDSOR CASTLE STAKES

Results Day One - click here
DAY ONE Results and replays

DAY TWO

Wednesday, 17th June 2015
9:30 am	THE JERSEY STAKES
10:05 am	THE QUEEN MARY STAKES - Race Replay
10:40 am	THE DUKE OF CAMBRIDGE STAKES
11:20 am	THE PRINCE OF WALES'S STAKES - Race Replay
12:00 pm	THE ROYAL HUNT CUP
12:35 pm	THE SANDRINGHAM HANDICAP STAKES

Results Day Two - click here
DAY TWO Results and replays

DAY THREE

Thursday, 18th June 2015
9:30 am	THE NORFOLK STAKES
10:05 am	THE TERCENTENARY STAKES
10:40 am	THE RIBBLESDALE STAKES
11:20 am	THE GOLD CUP - Replay - click here
12:00 pm	THE BRITANNIA STAKES
12:35 pm	THE KING GEORGE V STAKES

Results Day Three - click here
DAY THREE Results and replays

Gold Cup
Forecast: 9/4 Forgotten Rules, 4/1 Mizzou, 7/1 Vent De Force, 8/1 Kingfisher, 10/1 Bathyrhon, Trip To Paris, 12/1 Simenon, 14/1 Tac De Boistron, 16/1 Havana Beat, 25/1 Scotland, Windshear, 33/1 Biographer, Forever Now, 50/1 Kalann

Way down on the list of runners is my all-time favorite, SIMENON, who will likely not finish near the front, but he will always be my hero when in the 2012 Royal Ascot he won on Tuesday in the marathon Ascot Stakes and then 4 days later, won the marathon Queen Alexandra. An amazing performance that would have received more notice but for the presence that year of two super stars, Frankel and Black Caviar.

If they ever re-name this race, no doubt it would be called the YEATS Cup! He owned this race a record 3 times, to me the equal of Makybe Diva's three Melbourne Cups. Such amazing stamina and durability on display the likes of which we may never see again.

DAY FOUR

Friday, 19th June 2015
9:30 am	THE ALBANY STAKES
10:05 am	THE KING EDWARD VII STAKES
10:40 am	THE COMMONWEALTH CUP
11:20 am	THE CORONATION STAKES - Race Replay
12:00 pm	THE DUKE OF EDINBURGH STAKES
12:35 pm	THE QUEEN'S VASE

Results Day Four - click here
DAY FOUR Results and replays

DAY FIVE

Saturday, 20th June 2015
9:30 am	THE CHESHAM STAKES
10:05 am	THE WOLFERTON HANDICAP STAKES
10:40 am	THE HARDWICKE STAKES
11:20 am	THE DIAMOND JUBILEE STAKES - Race Replay
12:00 pm	THE WOKINGHAM STAKES
12:35 pm	THE QUEEN ALEXANDRA STAKES

Results - Day Five - click here
DAY FIVE Results and replays

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Equidaily's full Royal Ascot coverage

ROYAL ASCOT:

Five-day meet runs Tuesday - Saturday:Royal Ascot official website
Royal Ascot race schedule [scroll down for schedule]

Weather forecast
Royal Ascot Media guide [pdf]
Racecourse diagram
Channel 4 Ascot coverage
At the Races: Royal Ascot coverage
Sporting Life: Royal Ascot coverage
Free PPs via BRIS [see 'Past Performances' - registration required]
Tues card [click on horse's name for limited PPs]
Wed card [click on horse's name for limited PPs]
Thurs card [click on horse's name for limited PPs]
Fri card [click on horse's name for limited PPs]
Sat card [click on horse's name for limited PPs]
Closer look at the US invaders at Royal Ascot this week
Day One/Tues: Results
G1 St James's Palace: Gleneagles dominates
G1 King's Stand: Goldream eeks out the upset
G1 Queen Anne: Solow victorious... Able Friend 6th
O'Brien's 'best miler' Gleneagles proves star of Moore hat-trick
Miss Temple City's story heads to Ascot
Day One preview: Race-by-race
Day 2-5 preview

Friday, June 12, 2015

June 13-14, 2015

Let's Go To The Races - June 13-14
This is a non-commercial blog

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Time Ordered Races and Entries - Printiable file

SATURDAY, JUNE 13, 8:30-10pm EDT
Stephen Foster/Fleur de Lis
Churchill Downs

Videos interviewing Bob Baffert where he basically just talks about the horse like a fan!

Baffert: American Pharoah's a baby and a beast

"To me, I feel more pressure training him now. I feel like wrapping him in bubble wrap.

"What I want to do is just want to share him with everyone. When we go back to California they'll probably have something for him there and then when we go to Del Mar, they'll have something for him there. "I wish I was around Secretariat. As a kid, I would have loved to pet him and touch him and get close to him. I got to go up to him and touch him and I'll always remember greatness like that. "I'm his trainer but at the same time I'm like a little kid. I knew he was great but he really had to show it."

Your Belmont experience is not complete without reading Steve Haskin's Belmont recap.
Belmont Recap: Phait Accompli!

It's all about the horse - Photo ESPN

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Robert Kiekheffer - UPI Weekend Preview

WASHINGTON, June 12 (UPI) -- With the Triple Crown in the rear-view mirror, weekend racing action shifts back to Churchill Downs, where three graded stakes are headed by the Grade I Stephen Foster Handicap.

Beholder returns to action in California while Belmont Park and Santa Anita both have important grass mile races.

Churchill Downs

The $500,000, GRADE I STEPHEN FOSTER is the highlight of the Churchill Downs post-Derby season and, fittingly, Triple Crown-winning trainer Bob Baffert will saddle one of the favorites for Saturday's renewal, Hoppertunity. The 4-year-old colt by Any Given Saturday won the Grade I Clark Handicap over the course last November but finished third -- behind Shared Belief and California Chrome -- in his last outing, the Grade II San Antonio on Feb. 7. He has been working well at Churchill Downs for his comeback. It won't be easy. Rivals include Dubai World Cup third-place finisher Lea, dual graded stakes winner Commissioner and a rapidly improving Noble Bird.

As if that weren't enough for Baffert, his charge Fame and Power seems to stand head and shoulders over seven rivals in the $100,000, GRADE III MATT WINN 3-year-olds at 1 1/16 miles on the main track. The First Defence colt ran a good third in the Grade III Lexington at Keeneland two starts back, then returned to win the Sir Barton Stakes at Pimlico. Bold Conquest was third in the Sir Barton and seems to be improving but would have to make up several lengths to catch Fame and Power.

The $200,000, GRADE II FLEUR DE LIS HANDICAP for fillies and mares drew a field of nine to tackle 9 furlongs on the main track. Sheer Drama and Gold Medal Dancer bounce back from their second- and third-place finishes in last month's Grade I La Troienne over the course. My Sweet Addiction exits a victory in the Grade I Vanity at Santa Anita. America, Yahilwa, Tiz Windy, Pearl Turn and Frivolous all have credentials for this.

Seven 3-year-old fillies are on board for the $100,000, GRADE III REGRET STAKES at 9 furlongs on the turf. Lady Zuzu, Return to Grace and Don't Leave Me seem best equipped although recent Arlington Park maiden winner America Mon Ami is coming along.

Turf Mile

Bal a Bali and Talco finished 1-2, separated by just 1 length, in the Grade III American Stakes last month and they are back for Saturday's $400,000, GRADE I SHOEMAKER MILE at Santa Anita. Also on tap in the five-horse field is Winning Prize, who finished fourth in the American after a very slow start. Midnight Storm has won three straight races, including last summer's Grade II Del Mar Derby. Seek Again won the Grade I Hollywood Derby two years ago and has had some good moments.

Distaff

Two-time Eclipse Award winner Beholder returns to action Saturday at Santa Anita in the $100,000, GRADE III ADORATION STAKES going 1 1/16 miles against a half dozen foes. The 5-year-old Henny Hughes mare missed the chance to defend her Breeders' Cup crown last fall with an ill-timed illness. She won her comeback race in convincing fashion in April and has been working fairly steadily since then for trainer Richard Mandella. Warren's Veneda has been racing with distinction at the top level and is dangerous here if Beholder isn't yet fully cranked. The others appear to be more allowance types.

France

Queen's Jewel, undefeated in three starts including the Group 1 Prix Saint-Alary last month, is among 18 still in for Sunday's GROUP 1 PRIX DIANE-LONGINES at Longchamp. Many of these have shown talent and the race should be hard fought. Queen's Jewel, a Pivotal filly trained by Freddy Head, will have Maxime Guyon up seeking her fourth and most important victory. John Gosden sends out Star of Seville, who had a three-race winning skein snapped when she finished ninth in the Oaks at Epsom in her last start. Sound of Freedom finished second against colts in her last outing, the Group II Derby Italiano. Katania steps up after three wins against lesser foes.

Woodbine - Canada

Woodbine on Sunday has both the $150,000 (CANADIAN) PLATE TRIAL and the $500,000 (CANADIAN) WOODBINE OAKS. Read more at source...

Dick Powell's Belmont wrap
"Winning the Triple Crown has to be an amazing achievement and to do it three years after lying in a hospital bed in Dubai from a major heart attack has to be even more remarkable."

"As he has shown many times, once he makes the lead, American Pharoah will switch off and use his cruising speed for as long as he needs to. Whatever doubts I had about the dam-side of his pedigree were more than offset by his ability to cruise along and conserve energy. Maybe in a fast-paced race, genetic deficiencies would be exposed, but not on Saturday."

"California clocker Gary Young said before the Derby that American Pharoah was the best horse he had clocked in 35 years. Many scoffed at his opinion and dismissed it. Now, it shows that Young was right all along. I give him a lot of credit for going out on a limb like he did. There was no equivocation in what he said and he looks like a genius now."

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After a race is concluded, return here and click on he CARD below for a replay at BloodHorse.

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FEATURED RACES

Time Ordered Races and Entries - Printiable file

UPI WEEKEND HORSE RACING PREVIEW

SATURDAY
3:24 ET Poker H G3 Bel Jun 13 $300,000 g 4+ 1 mi T R5   CARD
4:45 ET Bold Ruckus S WO Jun 13 $125,000 3yo S 6f T     R8   CARD
5:30 ET Shoemaker Mile G1 BC SA Jun 13 $400,000 3+ 1 mi T    R5   CARD
7:00 ET Adoration S G3 SA Jun 13 $100,000 3+ f/m 1 1/16 mi     R8   CARD
8:32 ET Regret S G3 CD Jun 13 $100,000 3yo f 1 1/8 mi T    R6   CARD
9:08 ET Fleur de Lis H G2 BC CD Jun 13 $200,000 3+ f/m 1 1/8 mi R7   CARD
9:42 ET Stephen Foster H G1 BC CD Jun 13 $500,000 3+ 1 1/8 mi  R8   CARD
10:13 ET Matt Winn S G3 CD Jun 13 $100,000 3yo 1 1/16 mi   R9   CARD

More on today's races:
Bal a Bali to try Grade 1 in Shoemaker Mile
Beholder, Warren's Veneda meet in Adoration

SUNDAY

4:57 ET Wild Applause Bel Jun 14 $100,000 3yo f 1 mi T R8   CARD
5:10 ET Plate Trial S WO Jun 14 $150,000 3yo R 1 1/8 mi AW R9   CARD
5:45 ET Woodbine Oaks S WO Jun 14 $500,000 3yo f S 1 1/8 mi AW R10  CARD

International - France
10:45 a.m. ET Prix de Diane G1, R4, 3yo f, 1 1/4 mi 96y R4 CARD
Note: The time quoted at the CARD is London time. France is 1 hour ahead of London, and France is 6 hours ahead New York.

More on today's races
Queen's Jewel, a chestnut gem in Prix de Diane field
Queen's Jewel marooned in Post 17 in Prix de Diane

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Friday, June 5, 2015

June 5-7 - BELMONT STAKES FESTIVAL

Let's Go To The Races - June 5-7

HE DID IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 37 YEARS TO FINALLY GET TO "THE ONE!"
American Pharoah romps home to claim the
Triple Crown trophy!
Full NBC Broadcast for Belmont Stakes - click here

Just the race!

17 Minute version of Belmont Stakes with theme "New York, New York" - Frank Sinatra

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Triple Crown on the line!

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Time Ordered List and Entries - printable format

Jon and Joel in the Belmont edition of the TCI Insider 6-5-15 - Video

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On Saturday, some of the best racing that America has to offer will be on display. With nearly $9 Million in purses over the two days, it is also one of the richest racing festivals for an event not named Breeders Cup, with over $7.5 Million to be offered on Saturday alone, including SIX GRADE 1 races.

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BELMONT UNCUT

Jeff Siegel, Aaron Vercruysse , and Millie Ball

All day, June 6, Belmont Stakes Day - Commentary throughout the day!!!

https://youtu.be/Z-T65ZnMiCM

Don't forget to check in on Saturday and spend some time with

Jeff, Aaron and Millie throughout the day.

HERE IS WHERE YOU CAN FOLLOW JEFF SIEGEL, AARON VERCRUSSYE, AND MILLIE BALL THROUGHOUT THE DAY HD. JUST GIVE YOUR NAME AND YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS...THAT'S ALL THERE IS TO IT. LIVE, HD, NO COMMERCIALS!

http://www.xpressbet.com/Belmont

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NBC Set for Belmont Stakes coverage

Following is a full schedule of NBC Sports Group's Belmont Stakes programming (all times ET):

Date	Time	Event Network
Fri., June 5	3:30 p.m.	Belmont Stakes Access NBCSN
Sat., June 6	2:30 p.m.	Belmont Stakes Prep NBCSN
Sat., June 6	4:30 p.m.	Belmont Stakes NBC
Sat., June 6	7 p.m.	Belmont S Post-Race Show NBCSN

Thursday, June 4 ‘Secret Lives of the Super Rich: The Triple Crown,” 10 p.m. ET/PT, CNBC

For the first time at the Belmont Stakes, NBC Sports will utilize a 4K super-slow-motion, reverse finish-line camera.

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ESPN video: Bob Baffert's new perspective on life

Poetry in motion!

Photo Essay - The American Pharoah story

White's 10 reasons why American Pharoah will win Belmont Stakes
Santa Anita morning-line maker Jon White -- who, in addition to Santa Anita's morning line, makes selections for the track's official program -- has come up with 10 reasons why he believes Kentucky Derby (G1) and Preakness S. (G1) victor American Pharoah (Pioneerof the Nile) will win Saturday's $1.5 million Belmont S. (G1) to complete the first Triple Crown sweep since Affirmed achieved the rare feat 37 years ago.
His 10 reasons are as follows:

Of the seven horses entered against American Pharoah in the Belmont, he already has defeated each by 3 1/4 lengths or more.
Two of his three main threats -- Firing Line (Line of David) and Dortmund (Big Brown), who finished two-three in the Kentucky Derby, are not running in the Belmont.
He was the two-year-old male champion. Six of the last seven horses to sweep the Triple Crown had been voted two-year-old male champion. American Pharoah is the first two-year-old male champion to try for a Triple Crown in the Belmont since Spectacular Bid in 1979.
His dominance. When Seattle Slew went into the Belmont with an eight-for-eight record, his average margin of victory was 4.71 lengths. American Pharoah goes into the Belmont with an average margin of victory of 5.04 lengths in his current six-race winning streak.
He's six-for-six when ridden by Victor Espinoza.
He's six-for-six when racing without blinkers.
He's five-for-five on dirt.
He's five-for-five when racing around two turns.
His trainer, Bob Baffert, knows how to win the Belmont. Baffert sent out Point Given to win the 2001 Belmont by 12 1/4 lengths. Baffert also has had three horses run well enough in the Belmont to finish second -- Silver Charm (who came within three-quarters of a length of a Triple Crown sweep in 1997), Real Quiet (who came within a nose of a Triple Crown sweep in 1998) and Paynter (who lost by a neck in 2012).
He can be rated if necessary. While most of American Pharoah's wins have come in front-running fashion, he showed in both the Rebel (G1) at Oaklawn Park and in the Kentucky Derby that he can sit off the early pace and win. His versatility in terms of being able to go wire-to-wire or rate kindly and come from off the pace helps make him all the more difficult to beat in the Belmont. Read more at Brisnet

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BELMONT PARK: The Green Monster of a race track!

Jay Privman: Out at Third: Triple Crown Denied

We want answers!

Why American Pharoah may be a special case in annals of Triple Crown history

NTRA Poll

TRIPLE CROWN MISSED OPPORTUNITIES

5/25/15: Jay Hovdey takes a look at a few Triple misses since 1978

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HANDICAPPING THE BELMONT FESTIVAL

Brisnet's Dick Powell - Handicapping Insights

Belmont Stakes Pedigree Profiles

Tonalist, Bayern highlight stellar Met Mile on Belmont Stakes undercard

Big challenges loom for American Pharoah

American Pharoah: How does he stack up to TC Winners of the Past

Jeremy Plonk's Countdown to the Crown - Belmont issue

The Vault: To Be Or Not To Be - Race for the 2015 American Triple Crown

Brisnet Free Past Performances

Like it or not, look at American Pharoah against history's winners and losers

Dosage: How does American Pharoah compare with History's horses

From Across The Pond

Derby Oaks shocker: Qualify wins Oaks at Epsom 50-1

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After a race has been run, you can come back here and click on he CARD below to watch the replay.

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FEATURED RACES

Time Ordered List and Entries - printable format
Race Index

Brisnet's Sherack & DiDonato - Battle at the Belmont
Handicapping the Belmont Festival - PDF

FRIDAY

1:52 ET Jersey Girl S Bel $150,000 3yo f 6f R3 CARD

2:24 ET Tremont Bel $250,000 2yo 5.5f R4 CARD

4:32 ET True North S G2 Bel $250,000 4+ 6f R8 CARD

5:05 ET New York S G2 Bel $300,000 4+ f/m 1 1/4 mi T R9 CARD

5:45 ET Belmont Gold Cup Inv'l Bel $250,000 4+ 2 mi T R10 CARD

Across the Pond
Fastnet filly shocks in Epsom Oaks

SATURDAY
International - Epsom Downs
Epsom Derby Festival
Past Performances for Epsom Derby full card
10:10 ET Coronation Cup, Epsom, 4+, 1 1/2 mi 10y R3 CARD
      Dolniya beat Flintshire in the Sheema Classic in Dubai
11:30 ET Epsom Derby, G1, Epsom, R5 3, 1 1/2 mi 10y R5 CARD

North America - Belmont Stakes Day
Belmont Stakes Day Full Card PPs - click here
11:35 ET Easy Goer S (L) Bel   $150,000 3yo 1 1/16 mi R1 CARD
12:35 ET Woody Stephens S G2 Bel   $500,000 3yo 7f R3 CARD
1:15 ET Jaipur Invitational G3 Bel   $300,000 4+ 6f T R4 CARD
1:52 ET Ogden Phipps S G1 BC Bel   $1,000,000 4+ f/m 1 1/16 mi R5 CARD
2:34 ET Brooklyn Invitational G2 Bel   $400,000 4+ 1 1/2 mi R6 CARD
3:15 ET Acorn S G1 Bel   $750,000 3yo f 1 mi R7 CARD
4:00 ET Just a Game S G1 Bel   $700,000 4+ f/m 1 mi T R8 CARD
4:00 ET Crystal Water S SA   $100,000 3+ S 1 mi T R4 CARD
4:49 ET Metropolitan H G1 BC Bel   $1,250,000 3+ 1 mi R9 CARD
5:46 ET Manhattan S G1 Bel   $1,000,000 4+ 1 1/4 mi T R10 CARD
6:17 ET  Mint Julep G3 CD   $100,000 3+ f/m 1 1/16 mi T R10 CARD
6:50 ET Belmont S G1 Bel   $1,500,000 3yo 1 1/2 mi R11 CARD

147TH BELMONT STAKES

PP	HORSE	TRAINER	JOCKEY	ODDS
1	Mubtaahij	Mike De Kock	Irad Ortiz Jr.	10-1
2	Tale of Verve	Dallas Stewart	Gary Stevens	15-1
3	Madefromlucky	Todd Pletcher	Javier Castellano	12-1
4	Frammento	Nick Zito	Mike Smith	30-1
5	American Pharoah	Bob Baffert	Victor Espinoza	3-5
6	Frosted	Kiaran McLaughlin	Joel Rosario	5-1
7	Keen Ice	Dale Romans	Kent Desormeaux	20-1
8	Materiality	Todd Pletcher	John Velazquez	6-1

More on today's races
Champion Untappable formidable in Ogden Phipps

SUNDAY

2:40 a.m. EDT YASUDA KINEN-G1, ¥195,220,000 (US$1,554,516), 3yo/up, 1600mT

North AmericaMonmouth S G2 Mth   $200,000 3+ 1 1/8mi T R CARD
Affirmed S G3 SA   $100,000 3yo 1 1/16 mi R CARD
Eclipse S G2 WO   $200,000 4+ 1 1/16 mi AW R CARD

Yasuda Kinen G1 JRA   $1,808,000 a 3+ 1 mi T R CARD
Preview

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Belmont/Triple Crown

Triple Crown Has Global Audience
Brisnet's Dick Powell Handicapping Insights - 6-5-15

NBC Sports - Horse Racing

Fox Sports 1 - Horse Racing

UPI Racing Roundup - World wide

Brisnet

Dosage figures for past Belmont Stakes winners

Chef-de-Race 2015 Belmont Stakes Contenders - DI, CD, Pace Parameters

Official Belmont Stakes website

NYRA Twitter feed

NYRA Youtube page