Breeders’ Cup preps highlight Belmont Fall Championship
Meet
Belmont Park will begin its 2006 Fall Championship Meet on Friday, and the
The Jockey Club Gold Cup is but one of 12 Grade 1 events scheduled for
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The opening day feature, the $100,000 Gen. Douglas MacArthur H., only drew
three entrants, including multiple Grade 3 winner WEST VIRGINIA (Tomorrows Cat),
and was scratched from Friday’s card. It could be run on Sunday if enough horses
enter. That leaves the 8TH race, a mile allowance/optional claimer, as the
feature event on the day. A field of six, including Grade 2-placed LATENT HEAT
(Maria’s Mon) and Grade 3-placed stakes winner SAINT DAIMON (Saint Ballado),
will go to the gate. Latent Heat could earn a spot in the October 1 Jerome
Breeders’ Cup H.
(G2) against undefeated U.A.E. Derby (UAE-G2) victor DISCREET CAT (Forestry) if he
performs well on Friday.
Despite not running the MacArthur on opening day, the meet kicks off with a
bang, with four major events on the first weekend. The $250,000 Gazelle S. (G1)
on Saturday will send sophomore fillies nine furlongs while the $250,000 Garden
City Breeders’ Cup (G1) offers a turf counterpart at the same distance for
three-year-old misses. The day also features the $500,000 Man o’ War S. (G1) for
three-year-olds and up going 11 furlongs on the grass, and all paid admissions
on Saturday will receive a free Belmont Park Travel Mug while supplies last. On
Sunday, the $300,000 Ruffian H. (G1) will take center stage for distaffers going
8 1/2 furlongs.
New York-breds will get their chance to shine on October 21, with seven
stakes worth a total $1 million in purses. The nine-furlong Empire Classic for
three-year-olds and up is the feature contest on the day, which has been dubbed
the New York Showcase Fall Festival.
The Breakfast at Belmont returns once again, offering fans a
behind-the-scenes look at racing by allowing access to normally restricted areas
at Belmont. A train tour of the stable area, starting gate demonstration and the
Paddock Show with Sheila Lindquist will be part of the festivities. Breakfast is
optional and available for a nominal cost.
Belmont’s Fall Championship Meet runs through October 22, with a first post
of 1 p.m. (ET) on all race days, Wednesday through Sunday. Except for opening
day Friday, when general admission and general parking are free, general
admission is $2, clubhouse admission $5, and children 12 and under will be
admitted free when accompanied by an adult.
Belmont will be open on Monday, October 9, for Columbus Day, but closed on
October 10-11 before re-opening on October 12 with a normal first post of 1 p.m.