Track at Belmont was fast, harrowed for first two races, then sealed, sloppy as heavy rain fell throughout day; third race stayed on turf; seventh, ninth were switched to main track.
Today at Belmont is annual “Muskrat Ramble,” New York Showcase Day, sort of a Breeders’ Cup for N.Y.-breds; 10-race card includes seven stakes with purses totaling $1 million, topped by $250,000 Empire Classic.
3RD RACE – Sunshine for Life, 8-1 coming off maiden romp over Belmont turf, loped along on daylight lead under Mike Luzzi, tracked outside by 7-2 Brantley, with 4-1 Crystal Minuet, Kent Desormeaux up, stalking pace. Brantley bid for lead turning for home under Garrett Gomez, but Sunshine for Life cut corner top of stretch, opened up, then withstood late challenge from Crystal Minuet, who rallied to get within neck of Sunshine for Life deep stretch, but hung like chandelier in final yards.
5TH RACE – Gold to Go, 8-1 under Alan Garcia, and Veritaserum, even-money favorite for Pletcher-Velazquez, dueled down backside, alternating for lead, with Veritaserum going to front turning for home, then backing up as Gold to Go came through again inside to take command. But then Philly Park shipper Bankbusted, after saving ground early, swung out to rally under Eibar Coa, wore down Gold to Go in deep stretch.
7TH RACE – Wind was whipping flags in infield, rain was coming down in sheets; hard to believe they ran under these dangerous conditions. Hostile Takeover, 9-1 dropping into 45G maiden claimer for first time, stalked pace duel under Coa while in hand, went to lead turning for home, but Ramly, only main-track-only in field, 5-1 also racing first time for tag, circled outside under Javier Castellano, took command through final furlong.
PICK SIX
Winning numbers: 1-2-7-13-4-1a
2 winners (6 of 6)
Each paid $12,049
31 consolation (5 of 6) winners
Each paid $261.50
No carryover