Summer Bird added the Jockey Club Gold Cup (G1) to his resume on Saturday, becoming the first colt since Easy Goer in 1989 to sweep New York’s three main Grade 1 races: the Belmont Stakes, the Travers, and the Jockey Club Gold Cup.

The colt had to check in between runners on the backstretch, tracked the pace from the outside, drew along side Quality Road at the quarter pole, and out finished his main rival to win by a length over a sloppy racing strip.

The race may go a long way to wrapping up three year old honors for the colt, and what happens if he goes on to win the Breeders’ Cup Classic next month at Santa Anita?

He will likely garner a few Horse of the Year votes, but Rachel Alexandra, who is bypassing the Breeders’ Cup, still seems likely to get top honors.

It will be interesting to talk about the possibilities over the next month. A case could be made for Zenyatta if she wins the Classic, and let’s not forget about Gio Ponti.

Gio Ponti was upset in yesterday’s Joe Hirsch Turf Classic, which was contested over a deep and boggy turf course at Belmont Park.

The colt was upset by Interpatation, who returned $89.50 in his front running score.

Gio Ponti went into the race with four consecutive Grade 1 wins, and after coming up short yesterday, seems likely to go in the Classic at 1 ¼ miles on the Pro Ride rather than the 1 ½ miles of the Turf.

Advertisement

If the colt can rebound by winning the Classic over the likes of Summer Bird, Zenyatta, and European invaders Sea the Stars and Rip Van Winkle, it would be hard to argue that Gio Ponti would be a deserving candidate for Horse of the Year.

There is a good card on tap at Belmont Park today, which includes a pair of Breeders’ Cup Challenge “win and You’re In” races for juveniles.

To purchase my full card report for Belmont Park that includes analysis, selections, fair odds, and wagering recommendations for today, click here.

Here is today's opening race from Belmont Park to get our day off to a good start:

BEL Race 1 Clm $25,000N2L (1:00 ET)
#3 Maggie's Miracle 8/1
#6 Kaleidoscope Sky 2/1
#8 Flying Sappho 7/2
#1 Dose of Reality / #1a Golden Artemis 5/2

Analysis: #3 Maggie's Miracle returns to the turf (if we are indeed on the turf, and I am guessing yes) and she is making her third start off a five month layoff. She had to check at the break last out in a fourth place finish against state bred $20K non winners of two. Her last turf start was two back off the bench and she set the early fractions before weakening to finish third in a decent effort considering the layoff. Last summer she was a close up fourth versus $35K non winners of two on the turf going a mile, beaten just a half length for the top spot. She draws the rail here for a red hot barn and if she gets off to a good start here, she might be tough at a decent price.

#6 Kaleidoscope Sky was beaten just a nose last out. The filly had to check in traffic heading down the backstretch and drifted out in the stretch. She had some trouble two back as well, having to steady on the first turn and finishing evenly for sixth. The top two in that race came back to win. The winner I'm Your Lady beat $50K starter allowance company on Sept. 18. She fits with her best but the price seems light and she does have a habit of landing for minor shares in her ten race career.

Wagering
WIN: #3 to win at 9/2 or better.
EX: 3,6 / 1,3,6,8
TRI: 3,6 / 1,3,6,8 / 1,3,6,7,8

Today's Featured Race of the Day from Belmont Park:

BEL Race 9 Pilgrim S. G3 (5:15 ET)
#6 Eskendereya 8/1
#1 Billions Boy 9/2
#5 Interactif 5/2
#9 Paddy O'Prado 7/2

Analysis: #6 Eskendereya stalked the early pace from the inside and made a good late rally while unable to get to the loose on the lead #1 Billions Boy, settling for second. The colt was a $250K purchase, by Giant's Causeway out of a Seattle Slew mare that has dropped one other foal to race, Group 1 turf winner Balmont ($472K). The colt got a useful prep and should move forward off his debut and we should catch a decent price on this guy.

#1 Billions Boy moved forward in his third start when stretching out to a route for the first time. Two back he ran second to Bridgetown, who came back to win the Summer (G3) at Woodbine in his next outing on Sept. 19. I like the pedigree, Johannesburg out of a Kingmambo mare, and with a couple of runner in here stretching out from sprints the pace could be quicker than last out, but he looks like he could be rated back off the pace if needed.

Wagering
WIN: #6 to win at 4/1 or better.
EX: 1,6 / 1,5,6,9
TRI: 1,6 / 1,5,6,9 / 1,5,6,8,9

Live Longshots: These are price plays for exotic players looking to find a couple of extra contenders to use in their trifecta and superfecta wagers. Or for those with smaller bankrolls, you might want to get in a small win-place wager.

Belmont Park
R1: #3 Maggie’s Miracle 8/1
R2: #8 Refinery Fire 8/1
R3: #3 Super Slash 10/1
R4: #5 Yield Bogey 8/1
R5: #1 Capitalism At Risk 10/1
R7: #9 Vicarious 8/1
R9: #6 Eskendereya 8/1
R10: #6 Three Bridge Road 8/1

Good luck today!