On a cloudy (but not rainy) opening day at the Belmont Stakes Racing Festival at Saratoga, the adage “bet the gray on a cloudy (or rainy) day” was spot on in the $250,000 Belmont Gold Cup (G2).
Almostgonerocket. NYRA/Coglianese Photo.
Magic! The Grey Wizard Pulls Win Out of Hat in Belmont Gold Cup
$150,000 Jersey Girl: Almostgone Rocket moves to 3-0
Almostgone Rocket ($3) was a six-length winner over Manama Gold in the 6-furlong sprint for 3-year-old fillies, improving to 3-0 for trainer Brad Cox. Flavien Prat was aboard the winner, who has won her races by a combined 22 ¼ lengths.
$150,000 Tremont: Studlydoright a surprise winner
After a bobble at the start of the 5 ½-furlong sprint for 2-year-olds, Studlydoright ($29.80) closed well for a 1 ¾-length victory over favorite Touchy.
“I knew he had the kick. I knew they would outrun him early, but we’re all trying to find what we have. Now we’ve got a stakes winner,’’ trainer Jerry Robb said.
The winner was ridden by Xavier Perez.