Gates open today at 8:30 a.m. and there will be plenty to do prior to the first race at 12:30 p.m.. From 10-1, fans can take home a piece of history from the Woody Stephens Tag Sale. The sale, which benefits the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation, will feature memorabilia from Woody’s 50-plus-year career.
For each paid admission, fans will have a chance to win a $5000 wager on the Belmont Stakes. Fans receive an entry form after paying their admission and after the seventh race a name will be drawn and announced. The winner will have 10 minutes to report to the winner’s circle, where he or she can ”wager” $5,000 to either win, place or show on the horse of their choice in the Belmont Stakes.
1ST RACE – M’ladys Honour broke on top and never looked back in breaking her maiden. She was tiring at the end but the rest of the field didn’t make up enough ground to catch her. Favored Jolie’s Princess chased in second but ran out of gas in the stretch drive.
3RD RACE – Sharp Standard broke on top but was joined by Sudden Impact, who was hard ridden to the front by Chavez. Mr. Buffum stalked the early pace and took over when both horses quit around the turn. Pooska Hill swept to the front and joined Mr. Buffum in battling for the lead. Mr. Buffum held off Pooska Hill throughout the stretch for a hard fought victory
4TH RACE – Jo’s Pro set the early pace with Men Chen but looked uncomfortable in front. Aruba Blue was stalking on the inside in third. Prior to the far turn Aruba Blue broke down, causing Go Forever and Little Chuckie to steady and eliminate them from the race. Repute was also bothered but got through on the rail and took the lead entering the stretch. But the slight loss of momentum cost him the race as Top C Jim closed in the middle of the track and took the lead nearing the wire. Aruba Blue was euthanized on the track.
5TH RACE – Ghost Story was looking for room to run on the far turn and caused Tarquinius to steady. In the stretch Ground Storm started to tire and Ghost Story got up in time for the victory. Waddaan rated early, moved to the lead entering the turn but had nothing in the stretch drive.
6TH RACE – Sazarac Jazz set the early pace with Shoop to her inside pushing her to go faster. Around the far turn, the pacesetters quit and Endowment took the lead, Mudslinger reached contention in the stretch and the two of them fought noses apart down the stretch with a photo declaring a dead-heat.
8TH RACE – More Than Ready showed good early speed and set the pace soon after the start. He fought off Hazing Tony but was joined by Diablo’s Addition in the stretch. More Than Ready was pushed to the limit and held off Diablo’s Addition by a head. Bevo ducked in at the start and steadied sharply. He soon recovered and closed well on the rail to finish third.
9TH RACE – Sapphire N’ Silk set the early pace with Three Ring flanking her into the turn. Three Ring took the lead but was challenged by Better Than Honour in the stretch. Three Ring was bearing out under left handed whipping by Jerry Bailey and caused Better Than Honour to bear out. Bailey denies there was any contact while Migliore claims he got brushed late. Three Ring crossed the finish line first by a head but there was a jockey’s objection. After a stewards’ review, there was no disqualification.
PICK SIXWinning number: 5-10-4-4,6-1-531 winners each receives $1,268584 consolation (5 of 6) winnerseach receives $22.40No carryover.$1M guaranteed pool