Legends of the Track: A.P. Indy Lives Up to His $2.9 million Hype, Belmont by the numbers, Only 27,000 attendees at the "world's Most Famous Race." + Jason Beem and Trivia Time!
Monday Edition - June 3rd, 2024 (Edition 105)
Good Morning!
Today we take a look back at A.P. Indy's 1992 Belmont. A.P. Indy was destined for greatness, having been sold as a yearling for a staggering $2.9 million. He was sired by Seattle Slew, a Triple Crown winner. His successful dam (mother), Weekend Surprise, was no surprise because she was sired by Secretariat, another Triple Crown champion. The expectations for this exceptional colt were sky-high.
Under the expert guidance of trainer Neil Drysdale, A.P. Indy refocused on the Belmont Stakes. Following a win in the Peter Pan Stakes, he fulfilled his potential with one of the most memorable Belmont victories in history!
The field is set for the 2024 Belmont Stakes, with Derby winner Mystik Dan among the contenders. After completing five furlongs in 1:01.59, trainer Ken McPeek was pleased with the progress made by the son of Goldencents, following a runner-up effort in the May 18 Preakness Stakes (G1). "It was just a maintenance work, nothing complicated," McPeek said. "He did it well. We just checked some small details and made the entry this morning."
We stay in New York and take a look at Belmont by the numbers. Looking at this weekend's weather forecast: this number stands out—37. That’s the number of times inclement weather has led to the Belmont Stakes being contested on an “off” track, representing 23.9% of the total. The most recent occurrence was in 2011 when Ruler On Ice won on a “sloppy/sealed” track.
Overseas, there is concern over Derby attendance numbers. The Epsom course manager is exploring new strategies to boost attendance after Derby Day crowds fell below recent averages, with only 27,000 attendees at the "world's most famous race." Compare that to the 157,000 who attended Churchill Downs on the first Saturday in May.
What am I listening to? The Jason Beem Horse Racing Podcast.
Finally, Trivia Time: Can you name the British racecourse where racing has been held for over 241 years?
Riders Up!
Steve
The Belmont Stakes:
A.P. Indy Lives Up to His Hype
Photo by Cady Coulardot
Everyone knew A.P. Indy would be a star before he ever stepped hoof on the racetrack. He had a pedigree that screamed greatness (his sire was Triple Crown champion Seattle Slew and his dam was Weekend Surprise, a daughter of Secretariat) and at maturity he had correct conformation with powerful hindquarters.
Some sports fans believed that A.P. Indy would win the Kentucky Derby in 1992 after he won five straight races, including the Hollywood Futurity (G1) and Santa Anita Derby (G1). The only thing that seemed to stand in A.P. Indy’s way was a talented and highly celebrated colt named Arazi, who had fans lining Churchill’s rail just to see him exercise before the Kentucky Derby. Still, A.P. Indy’s connections were confident that he would win the “Run for the Roses”.
Unfortunately, A.P. Indy never got the chance to run in the Kentucky Derby. He came off of Churchill Downs’ track the morning before the Derby showing signs of lameness. A veterinarian diagnosed a deep bruise and while they worked diligently to ease the colt’s discomfort, they were forced to make the difficult decision of scratching A.P. Indy from the Kentucky Derby.
As it turned out, a longshot horse named Lil E. Tee won the Kentucky Derby while Arazi finished 8th. Meanwhile, A.P. Indy’s injury was taking the time off to recover and his hoof was being reinforced with fiberglass. The injury caused him to miss the Preakness Stakes as well, but he finally returned triumphantly to the races in the Peter Pan Stakes (G2) at Belmont Park. It was the colt’s final prep before entering the Belmont Stakes (G1), the third and final leg of the Triple Crown. Breaking from post position 1, A.P. Indy settled in fourth on the rail. Jockey Eddie Delahoussaye began to urge A.P. Indy along as the field began to make their way around the far turn. The colt responded beautifully, easily moving to the outside of horses and getting himself in the perfect position to pounce.
Read the Full Article at champsofthetrack.com
Watch the 1992 Belmont Stakes - Before he became one of the all-time leading sires, A.P. Indy was a Hall of Fame racehorse. Forced to miss the Kentucky Derby, A.P. Indy found Classic success in the Belmont Stakes. He would go on to produce a Belmont Stakes winner as well, the filly Rags to Riches.
The Belmont Stakes
Mystik Dan Entered in Belmont Stakes
Mystik Dan returns to his barn at Saratoga Race Course after recording his pre-Belmont workout.
Kentucky Derby (G1) winner Mystik Dan has been entered for the June 8 Belmont Stakes (G1) at Saratoga Race Course by trainer Kenny McPeek following his June 1 workout.
After completing five furlongs in 1:01.59, McPeek was pleased with the progress made by the son of Goldencents following a runner-up effort in the May 18 Preakness Stakes (G1)
"It was just a maintenance work, nothing complicated," McPeek said. "He did it well. We just checked some small details and made the entry this morning."
Those small details included blood work, which McPeek said was returned normal—a regular step for McPeek trainees prior to an entry.
Read the full article at bloodhorse.com
Belmont at Saratoga:
By the Numbers: The 2024 Belmont Stakes
Victory Gallop, outside, nipped Real Quiet to spoil his bid for the Triple Crown in the 1998 Belmont Stakes. Victory Gallop was bred in Canada and is the most recent Belmont winner bred outside of the U.S. (NYRA/Coglianese photos)
The Belmont Stakes has a rich history dating back to its inception in 1867, which means there is no shortage of interesting numbers associated with the race that is often called the “Test of the Champion.”
This year’s 156th running of the Belmont Stakes Presented by NYRA Bets will be held June 8 at Saratoga Race Course. If, for some reason, you’ve been out of the horse racing loop for a while, you might not be aware that Belmont Park is in the process of a massive renovation, which led the New York Racing Association to shift the final jewel of the Triple Crown to Saratoga in Saratoga Springs, N.Y., for both 2024 and 2025.
That venue change also led to adjusting the distance of the race to 1 1/4 miles from its regular distance of 1 1/2 miles, because Saratoga’s main dirt track is a 1 1/8-mile oval while Belmont's 1 1/2-mile oval is ideal for a race at that distance. Also of note, there will be no Triple Crown bid for the sixth straight year, however, the 2024 Belmont is expected to draw both Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve winner Mystik Dan and Preakness Stakes victor Seize the Grey.
Read on for a slew of fun figures in advance of the 2024 Belmont Stakes.
1 – The number of times the Belmont preceded both the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness Stakes. It happened for the first and only time in the race’s history in 2020 when Tiz the Law won the race after it was pushed back two weeks due to the pandemic and shortened to 1 1/8 miles. The Kentucky Derby was postponed that year to the first Saturday in September due to the COVID-19 pandemic while the Preakness Stakes moved to the first week in October.
Epicenter winning 2022 Travers Stakes at 1 1/4 miles (Eclipse Sportswire)
1 1/4 miles – The Belmont Stakes at 1 ½ miles usually is the longest race of the Triple Crown but this year the distance has been adjusted to 1 ¼ miles to accommodate the venue change to Saratoga Race Course. The Belmont Stakes will be held at 1 ¼ miles for the seventh time in its history. The race also has been held at 1 1/8 miles, 1 3/8 miles, and 1 5/8 miles.
$2.10 – The $2 win payout when Count Fleet won the 1943 Belmont Stakes (and Triple Crown), the lowest win payout ever.
2:24 – The fastest winning time for the Belmont Stakes at its usual 1 ½-mile distance. Secretariat set the record in 1973 when he swept the Triple Crown.
Read the full article at americasbestracing.net
Podcast of the Day:
Jason Beem Podcast
Jason looks back on the weekend of races including a big stakes card at Churchill. He also discusses racing from Penn National and Woodbine.
Racing Overseas: The Derby
Epsom course manager vows to try new ideas to tackle attendances as Derby day crowd falls below recent average
Around 27,000 people attended Epsom on SaturdayCredit: Edward Whitaker (racingpost.com/photos)
Epsom will use this year’s Derby meeting as a baseline for future runnings of the fixture with course manager Tom Sammes reiterating his intention to try new ideas to draw in crowds and increase awareness.
Sammes was overseeing his first Derby and Oaks this year and reported positive reaction to innovations such as local children singing the national anthem on both days, a new enclosure on the inside of the course and a revamped food offering.
A crowd of “around 27,000” people attended Epsom on Saturday according to the Jockey Club, an increase on last year’s attendance of 25,413. However, it was down on the 2022 spectator levels of 37,274 – when the Derby was part of Queen Elizabeth II’s official Platinum Jubilee celebrations – and below the pre-Covid attendances of 38,044 in 2019 and 35,258 in 2018.
Read the full article at RacingPost.com
Where on Earth?
Can you name the British Racecourse where racing began in 1783?
To find the answer visit Steve’s Twitter/X page and scroll through the comments
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Riders Up!
Best, Steve