40 Stakes Anchor Belmont's Fall Meet
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A total of 40 stakes worth $10.6 million in purses highlight Belmont Park's 38-day fall championship meet, which runs from Sept. 11 through Nov. 1.
The lead-up to the Breeders' Cup begins with the first of two days of stakes racing Sept. 26, featuring the $600,000 Joe Hirsch Turf Classic (gr. IT) and the $400,000 Vosburgh (gr. I), along the $400,000 Beldame (gr. I), $300,000 Gallant Bloom Handicap (gr. II), and $200,000 Pilgrim (gr. IIIT).
Oct. 3 is "Super Saturday," featuring the $1 million Jockey Club Gold Cup (gr. I). The 1 1/4-mile Gold Cup, which offers automatic entry and a fees-paid trip to the $5 million Breeders' Cup Classic (gr. I) at Keeneland, will be supported by the $500,000 Flower Bowl Invitational (gr. IT), $500,000 Champagne (gr. I), $400,000 Frizette (gr. I), $400,000 Kelso Handicap (gr. IIT), and $500,000 Hill Prince (gr. IIIT).
Oct. 3 is also "Fabulous Fillies Day" at Belmont, with events and activities focusing attention on Breast Cancer awareness and early detection. Additional activities are planned in Belmont's backyard, with a food truck festival providing fans with many of New York's favorite mobile cuisine.
New York-breds gather at Belmont Oct. 24 to complete in eight stakes races worth $1.75 million, highlighted by the $300,000 Empire Classic at 1 1/8 miles. The track also will host "Taste New York" that day, featuring local New York wines, spirits and food, along with craft vendors, fall-themed family activities, and the return of "College Day," in which area students can compete for prizes and win scholarships.
On Oct. 30-31, fans at Belmont and the simulcast center at Aqueduct Racetrack can watch and wager on all the Breeders' Cup action, with live racing at Belmont to include the $200,000 Turnback the Alarm (gr. III) for fillies and mares and the $200,000 Bold Ruler (gr. III) at seven furlongs on Saturday.
Live racing is generally conducted Wednesday through Sunday, with first-race post time at 12:55 p.m. EDT.
For the complete stakes schedule, click here.