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Co-owner Jane Lyon of Summer Wind Equine leads Flightline down Victory Lane after winning the Met Mile
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  • 2022 Belmont Stakes Undercard Results

    Date: 06/11/2022

    Of the three Triple Crown races, the undercard of the Belmont Stakes has the most prestigious races on its undercard. This year, the 46,301 fans in attendance at "Big Sandy" on Long Island were also treated to 8 additional graded stakes before the main event including seven Grade 1 events and 3 Breeders' Cup Challenge Series "Win and You're In" qualifiers. Conditions were excellent with cloudy skies and temperatures in the low 70's, with the main track rated fast and the two turf courses rated firm.

    All sources handle for the 13-race Belmont Stakes Day card was $98,766,906, of which $9,530,303 was bet on-track. The three-day Belmont Stakes Racing Festival, which featured 17 stakes and 33 races in total from Thursday through Saturday generated all-sources handle of $127,810,604. The construction of UBS Arena (home of the New York Islanders), which opened its doors to the public in November, significantly altered and reduced the size of the Belmont Park backyard. As a result of this change to the property, Belmont Park is currently operating at fan capacity of 50,000.


    Flightline draws away in the stretch in the Met Mile
    The $1 million Hill 'N' Dale Metropolitan Handicap (G1) featured a field of 5 older horses going 1 mile around 1 turn of the main track looking for automatic entry into the Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile. Flightline, undefeated in 3 starts including the Malibu (G1) last out, was sent off as the 2-5 favorite over 11-4 second choice Speaker's Corner, winner of the Gulfstream Park Mile (G2) and Carter Handicap (G1), and 6-1 third choice Happy Saver, second in the Alysheba (G2).

    Jockey Junior Alvarado sent Speaker's Corner to the lead out of the chute through fractions of 22.78 and 45.01 while pressed by Flightline and stalked by Happy Saver. Turning for home, Flightline took over through 3/4 in 1:08.54. Kept to task by Flavien Prat, Flightline drew off through the stretch to win by 6 lengths over Happy Saver in 1:33.59. It was another 2 3/4 lengths back to Speaker's Corner third.

    Pgm  Horse              Jockey           Win   Place   Show
     1   Flightline         Prat           2.90    2.80   2.10
     4   Happy Saver        Ortiz Jr.              3.80   2.30
     2   Speaker's Corner   Alvarado                      2.10
    
    Winning Time:  1:33.59
    
    $1 Exacta 1-4                   5.40
    $1 Trifecta 1-4-2               8.60
    $1 Superfecta 1-4-2-3          10.09
    
    Full results chart

    Left: Flightline in the winner's circle. Winning trainer John Sadler said, "When I saw him behind early, I wanted to throw up on myself. But you've got to watch and see what happens. I thought when he [Prat] got him going clear in the turn when he went up in that horse I thought we'd be in good shape. Flavien says distance is no issue and we want to try two turns. That's in the plans. But we go one step at a time. He's lightly raced. This is his first start this year. He's such an athlete. Winning the Met Mile is so gratifying. It's such a historic race and a stallion-making race and he's all of those things. He's the whole package."

    Right: Flightline heads back to the barn in his winner's blanket. Winning owner Kosta Hronis said, "It really shows what a nice horse he is for him to swing out and do something new on a new track, travelling and everything that was involved. He overcame a lot of obstacles today and still won by five or six lengths. We're proud of our horse. He did a great a job."

    Left: Second place finisher Happy Saver returns after the race. Trainer Todd Pletcher said, "I thought he ran super good. The winner is super good and I was proud of my horse for running second. We'll let the dust settle for now and think maybe the Whitney at Saratoga but we'll play it by year."

    Right: Third place finisher Speaker's Corner heads out of the paddock before the race. Jockey Junior Alvarado said, "(Flightline) was putting pressure on my horse. I had to let my horse go from the half-mile pole. I just couldn't keep up with him. He's a good horse. I'm not ashamed of the race at all. We'll still be one of the favorites next time. After the break, that was my best shot. If I let [Flightline] go to the lead, I was never going to see him."


    Immediately before the Belmont Stakes was the $750,000 Resorts World Casino Manhattan Stakes (G1), with a field of 10 older horses going 1 1/4 miles over the inner turf course. Man o'War Stakes (G1) runner-up Gufo was sent off as the 9-4 favorite over 4-1 second choice Santin, winner of the Old Forester Turf Classic (G1), and 9-2 third choice Adhamo, third in the Old Forester Turf Classic.

    Jockey Manny Franco sent 19-1 Tribhuvan to the lead first time by through fractions of 24.78, 49.65, 1:13.24, and 1:36.18 while pressed by Santin and stalked by 20-1 Tokyo Gold. Turning for home, Tribhuvan opened up a 7 length lead. Adhamo, 5th early, and favorite Gufo, 8th early, attempted to rally to no avail as Tribhuvan cruised the rest of the way to win by 3 1/2 lengths in 1:59.54. It was another length from Adhamo to Gufo third.

    Full results chart

    Left: Tribhuvan in the winner's circle. Winning trainer Chad Brown said, He had been training well and we were confident that if he got somewhat loose in this race, at least he would be in the picture late. Manny [Franco] rode a great race and set an easy pace, but the key is he opened up. That's what you've got to do with this horse. You've got to bottom the horses behind you. I was yelling from the box seats, 'Open up, open up.' I know 49 (seconds) looks all cozy and all but I want this horse completely away from everyone else. He runs best that way."

    Right: Tribhuvan gets his new winner's blanket. Franco said, "I knew I was the only speed in the race. I just wanted to make sure I broke good and put my horse on the lead. I was really comfortable with the way I was traveling and didn't want anyone to close to me and the horse responded really well. [This win] means a lot. Every Grade 1 is nice and I'm just glad to be part of it. I felt great I didn't see anybody behind me and said to myself, 'I'm in a good spot here,' and he just waited for the moment and rolled."

    Left: Second place finisher Adhamo heads out of the paddock before the race. Jockey Flavien Prat said, "I had a good trip. It took me a while to get myself going. But he ran great. [Tribhuvan] opened up on us and unfortunately, I couldn't move where I was. But then he made a good run down the lane. He tried hard but we were second-best."

    Right: Third place finisher and beaten favorite Gufo in the paddock. Trainer Christophe Clement said, "He finished third-best and ran a good race. The winner is a good horse and if you leave a good horse alone on the lead that can happen - but the winner didn't just win, he won impressively. We'll go back to basics and live to fight another day."


    The horses break from the gate for the Manhattan. The start was good for everyone but Channel Maker, who was off very slow and was never a factor in the race.


    Kicking off the Belmont Saturday stakes action, the $500,000 Acorn Stakes (G1) featured top 3-year-old fillies going 1 mile on the main track. After expected odds-on favorite Echo Zulu was scratched behind the starting gate by the attending veterinarian, just 4 broke at the start with Beaumont (G3) and Eight Belles (G2) winner Matareya sent off as the 3-10 favorite over 3-1 second choice Inventing, still a maiden after finishing second in both her starts, 13-2 third choice Divine Huntress, fourth in the Black-Eyed Susan (G2), and 10-1 longest shot Dream Lith, fifth in the Edgewood (G2). "The filly was lame in her left front," said Anthony Verderosa, NYRA's Director of Veterinarians.

    Jockey Flavien Prat sent Matareya to the lead out of the chute through fractions of 23.39, 46.40, and 1:10.68 while pressed by Divine Huntress and stalked by Inventing. In the stretch Matareya drew off, finishing 6 1/4 lengths ahead of Divine Huntress in 1:35.77. It was 5 1/2 lengths back to Dream Lith third, and a long 16 lengths to Inventing last.
    Full results chart

    Left: Matareya heads to the winner's circle. Winning trainer Brad Cox said, "It was unfortunate what happened right before the race with the scratch [of Echo Zulu], and a little unusual, but Matareya handled it all and ran her race. She ran great and we're really proud of her. I was a little concerned running her back in this spot so soon after the Eight Belles, but she was doing so great we decided to come here and she rose to the occasion. Now she's a Grade 1 winner and this filly deserves it. It's great to win a Grade 1 on Belmont Day and in New York. It's always great to win a Grade 1 anywhere."

    Right: Matareya gets hosed off after the race. Winning jockey Flavien Prat said, "I was pretty much going to ride her the same with or without the scratch. She broke super, super sharp and got me right to the lead and she was cruising all the way around. I think she's always been a high hope in the barn and she just needs that one turn."



    A field of 5 older fillies and mares went 1 mile on the Widener turf course in the $500,000 Longines Just a Game Stakes (G1). Churchill Distaff Turf Mile (G2) winner Speak of the Devil was sent off as the even-money choice over 7-5 second choice Regal Glory, winner of the Jenny Wiley (G1), and 7-1 third choice In Italian, second in the Churchill Distaff Turf Mile after winning the Honey Fox (G3).

    Jockey Ricardo Gonzalez sent 8-1 fourth choice Leggs Galore to the lead exiting the chute through fractions of 22.25 and 45.53 while pressed by In Italian and stalked by Regal Glory. On the far turn Leggs Galore tired allowing In Italian to inherit the lead through 3/4 in 1:08.95. Regal Glory came out for room and swept to the front through 7f in 1:20.28. Kept to task by Jose Ortiz, Regal Glory drew off to win by 3 1/2 lengths over late-running 15-1 longest shot Wakanaka in 1:32.00. It was another 1 1/4 lengths back to In Italian third, and 6 more to favorite Speak of the Devil fourth.
    Full results chart

    Left: Regal Glory takes her walk down Victory Lane. Winning trainer Chad Brown said, "I was never concerned [about cutting back to one turn]. I knew she likes Belmont and she's a versatile horse, especially when there's some pace in front of her. My team working with her, her maturity; Mr. Brant making the call to race her this year was a brilliant move. It was really one of those situations where she's in her prime right now and some horses catch their peak window at different ages. For this horse, it's been at age 6."

    Right: Regal Glory heads back to the barn after the race. Winning owner Peter Brant said, "Many years ago [1980] I campaigned Just a Game and she was a great mare who put a large string of victories together and was a great champion. To have this race named after her is a great pleasure and now to win the race is very, very special. It's awfully nice to have so many nice horses in the barn. That's the way the game is. Sometimes you get lucky."


    The $400,000 Brooklyn Stakes (G2) featured a field of 7 older horses going the Belmont Stakes trip of 1 1/2 miles on the main track. Isaac Murphy Marathon Stakes winner Lone Rock was sent off as the 7-5 favorite over 7-2 second choice Fearless, second in the Oaklawn Handicap (G2), and 4-1 third choice Warrant, second in the Santa Anita Handicap (G1) but fourth in the Ben Ali (G3).

    Jockey Jose Lezcano sent 6-1 fourth choice First Constitution to the lead first time by through fractions of 24.94, 50.06, 1:15.15, and 1:39.41 while pressed by Lone Rock and stalked by Fearless. Turningh for home, First Constitution tired as Fearless moved up to take over through 10f in 2:04.29. Kept to task by Luis Saez, Fearless drew off to win by 2 3/4 lengths over Warrant in 2:30.45. It was a neck back to favorite Lone Rock third.
    Full results chart

    Left: Fearless in the winner's circle. Winning trainer Todd Pletcher said, "We anticipated he'd handle the distance. Of course, you never know until you try it, but he's always given us that impression that he would keep grinding it out. The track appears to be inside-speed favoring, but they've only run three dirt races all around one turn, so you don't want to get ahead of yourself. We drew post 7 with Fearless and we wanted to be in good tactical position and sacrificed some ground to do so."

    Right: Third place finisher and beaten favorite Lone Rock in the paddock. Jockey Ramon Vazquez said, "He had a perfect trip, no excuses. The other horse [Fearless] made a good impression today and my horse responded well, but the other horse had a little bit more."


    The $400,000 Woody Stephens Stakes (G1) presented by Mohegan Sun featured 6 three-year-olds sprinting 7 furlongs on the main track. Jack Christopher, undefeated winner of the Pat Day Mile (G2) was sent off as the 3-10 favorite over 9-2 second choice Morello, sixth in the Wood Memorial (G2) after winning the Gotham (G3), and 9-1 third choice Wit, winner of the Bay Shore (G3).

    Jockey Luis Saez sent 19-1 longest shot Provocateur to the lead through fractions of 22.61 and 45.38 while pressed by Jack Christopher and stalked by 11-1 Pappacap. Turning for home, Jack Christopher took over the lead through 3/4 in 1:09.04. Ridden out by jockey Jose Ortiz, Jack Christopher powered away to a 10 length win over Pappacap in 1:21.18. It was another 1 3/4 lengths back to Provocateur third.
    Full results chart

    Left: Jack Christopher in the winner's circle. Winning trainer Chad Brown said, "I felt really good as he was coming down the lane. I didn't see any way the horse could lose. This horse is an exceptional talent. This is my 15th year of training and I've never had a dirt horse with this much pure brilliance. He reminds me a lot of Ghostzapper when I worked for Bobby Frankel. He's a brilliant horse that can probably run any distance."

    Right: Jack Christopher gets sprayed off on his way back to the barn. Winning jockey Jose Ortiz said, "This is why we work hard and wake up every day. We dream about these kinds of races and he's a very nice horse. Hopefully, he stays healthy and we keep doing it. I don't know if he would've held the distance [in the Kentucky Derby]. If he would've won the Breeders' Cup and won preps then maybe, but that's horse racing. He's pointing to the Haskell. We'll see what happens after today. We'll see how he came out of today and see going forward."


    The $500,000 Ogden Phipps Stakes (G1) featured a field of 5 older fillies and mares going 1 1/16 miles around 1 turn of the main track, and is a Breeders' Cup Challenge race in the Distaff division. Royal Delta (G3) and Apple Blossom Handicap (G1) winner Letruska was sent off as the 3-4 favorite over 3-1 second choice Malathaat, winner of the Doubledogdare (G3), and 9-2 third choice Clairiere, second in the Apple Blossom.

    Jockey Jose Ortiz sent Letruska to the lead through fractions of 22.75 and 45.23 while pressed by 5-1 Search Results and stalked by Malathaat. On the far turn Letruska tired allowing Search Results to take over through 3/4 in 1:09.23. In the stretch, Search Results opened up a 2 1/2 length lead but also tired, as Clairiere, 3 wide under Joel Rosario, outfinished Malathaat to win by a head in 1:41.10. It was another 2 1/4 lengths back to Search Results third, while Letruska was eased late, beaten 35 3/4 lengths.
    Full results chart

    Left: Clairiere heads back to the barn after the race. Winning trainer Steve Asmussen said, "It's extra special that she's a daughter of Curlin. I'm getting ridiculously sentimental about her being by him and everything he did to allow us another opportunity. When you're the one chosen to train a Curlin out of Cavorting, life is good. They were rolling. The separation they got from the 3/8 to the 1/4 worried me a bit. The first half, you think, 'perfect'. But when those fillies continued to separate I became concerned. They flew home. They didn't stagger. They had to run."

    Right: Last place finisher and beaten favorite Letruska returns after the race. Jockey Jose Ortiz said, "It was a fast pace and we paid the price. The other horse [Search Results] paid the price too. It's racing, they aren't going to let her get away every time."


    A field of 13 older horses contested the $400,000 Jaipur Stakes (G1) at 6 furlongs on the Widener turf looking for automatic entry into the Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint. Twin Spires Turf Sprint (G2) winner Arrest Me Red was sent off as the 9-5 favorite over 4-1 second choice and last year's winner Casa Creed, fifth in the Al Quoz Sprint (G1), and 13-2 third choice Gear Jockey, fourth in the Twin Spires Turf Sprint.

    Jockey Feargal Lynch sent 14-1 True Valour to the lead through fractions of 22.36 and 44.94 while pressed by Arrest Me Red and stalked by Gear Jockey. True Valour continued to lead to midstretch through 5f in 56.05 but Casa Creed, 7th early under Luis Saez, came out for room at the 1/8 pole and rallied by, holding off favorite Arrest Me Red to win by 1/2 a length in 1:07.44. It was another 1/2 length back to True Valoud third.
    Full results chart

    Left: Casa Creed in the winner's circle. Winning trainer Bill Mott said, "It's great to get back-to-back wins in the Jaipur with him. He's a neat horse. He's a real warrior who's gotten better with age. We finally found out what he wants to do. He wants to run in the Jaipur every year. His trip was beautiful. I couldn't have drawn it up any better. He was down in there and saved all the ground and then it cleared enough for him to tip out. When he gets to the outside he flies."

    Right: Second place finisher and beaten favorite Arrest Me Red in the post parade. Trainer Wesley Ward said, "He ran his race, just got beat on the squares. He did everything right, and Irad [Ortiz, Jr.] rode a beautiful race." Jockey Irad Ortiz Jr. added, "We just got beat. He beat me fair and the winner ran his race."

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