Ryan Martin
After twelve consecutive starts against Grade 1 company, Peter Brant’s Raging Bull will gain slight class relief in leading a strong hand for trainer Chad Brown, who vies for his 100th graded stakes win at Belmont Park in Saturday’s 35th running of the Grade 3, $250,000 Poker for 4-year-olds and upward.
Brian Bohl
A full field of 13 that includes stakes-winners and a Breeders’ Cup participant will take aim at Saturday’s $150,000 New York Stallion Stakes Series Spectacular Bid for eligible New York-sired 3-year-olds going seven furlongs on the Belmont Park Widener turf course.
Ryan Martin
Cypress Creek Equine’s Ava’s Grace will make her turf debut in Saturday’s $150,000 New York Stallion Stakes Series Cupecoy’s Joy for eligible New York-sired 3-year-old fillies going seven furlongs on Belmont Park's Widener turf course.
NYRA Press Office
The New York State breeding program plays a pivotal role in the racing calendar at New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) tracks throughout the year. Highlighted by three state-bred stakes days during the Belmont Park and Saratoga Race Course meets, state-bred restricted races represent more than 30 percent of the races run at NYRA tracks.
Ryan Martin
Espresso Shot seeks a fifth stakes triumph in Saturday’s eighth running of the $100,000 Dancin Renee for older New York-bred fillies and mares going six furlongs over the Belmont Park main track.
Brian Bohl
Trainer Brad Cox will be well-represented during the three-day Belmont Stakes Racing Festival, including saddling the morning-line favorite in Saturday’s Grade 1 $1.5 million Belmont Stakes presented by NYRA Bets in Essential Quality. But the Eclipse Award-winning conditioner will send out another strong contender on Sunday when undefeated Australasia will look to go 6-for-6 as part of a six-horse field of sophomore fillies in the $150,000 Jersey Girl going six furlongs at Belmont Park.
