Legends of the Track: "The Coward's Way Out" - The Tonalist Belmont, City of Troy on Road to Redemption in Epsom Derby, The top 6 breakfast spots in Saratoga Springs + ZJ's Turf Race of the Day!

Saturday Edition - June 1st, 2024 (Edition 103)

Jun 01, 2024

Good Morning!

It's Derby Day in the UK! The 245th Epsom Derby takes place this afternoon.
Alongside the Grand National and Cheltenham, the Derby is one of the key highlights of the British horse racing calendar, headlining the two-day festival in Surrey.

City of Troy, ridden by Ryan Moore, is the favorite for this year’s Derby. Trainer Aidan O’Brien is aiming for his 10th career victory in the race. However, City of Troy's unbeaten streak ended with a dissapointing ninth-place finish in the 2000 Guineas at Newmarket earlier this month. Now, all eyes are on the Justify colt, who has drawn the notoriously difficult stall #1.

Our lookback feature today revisits the 2014 Belmont Stakes, where Tonalist defeated California Chrome in his bid for the Triple Crown. This sparked a firestorm of controversy as California Chrome's owner, Steve Coburn, lambasted the race system, calling it "the coward's way out" before eventually walking back his comments and giving Tonalist the credit he deserved.

Visiting Saratoga next week? Here are six breakfast spots in Saratoga Springs you must try during the Belmont Stakes Festival.

What am I wagering on? ZJ's Turf Race of the Day.

What am I listening to? The Nick Luck Podcast.

Finally, Can you name the British racecourse that sometimes doubles as a venue for kayakers paddling down the home straight?

Enjoy a fantastic day of racing!

Riders Up!

Steve

The Belmont Stakes:

Tonalist Takes Belmont Stakes by a Head

Racing fans, longing for that happy ending to their fairy tale, once again followed Alice down the rabbit hole in search of Wonderland, only to find nothing more than the harsh reality that is Thoroughbred racing.

This year we hoped to emerge seeing everyone's hero, California Chrome , wearing that elusive Triple Crown, but just as it's been for the past 36 years, all we saw was Alice once again saying, "It would be so nice if something would make sense for a change."

But, you know what? The next time we see Alice chasing that White Rabbit down the hole, we're going to follow her anyway, just for the slight chance that this time the fairy-tale ending awaits. It is human nature and the nature of the Sport of Kings, which was built on dreams hundreds of years ago and will continue to be built on dreams for as long as the sport exists.

So, again, we are jolted back to reality and must chronicle the defeat of California Chrome, extol the victory of Tonalist , and tell of another fairy tale unfinished, just as we have 11 other times since 1978.

Read the Full Article at bloodhorse.com

Watch the 2014 Belmont Stakes - The Triple Crown went unclaimed for a 36th year as Tonalist captured the 146th running of the Grade 1, $1.5 million Belmont Stakes on Saturday at Belmont Park by a head over Commissioner, with Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner California Chrome finishing in a dead-heat for fourth in the "Test of the Champion."

Dettori Sweeps Penn Mile and Penn Oaks Via Photo Finish

Bill Denver/EQUI-PHOTO

Italian-born jockey executes perfectly timed rides to put on a show at Penn National.

Born in Italy and a multiple champion rider in England, Frankie Dettori had never ridden at Penn National Race Course before May 31. He made an incredible first impression, sweeping the $400,000 Penn Mile Stakes (G3T) and the $150,000 Penn Oaks, winning both races via photo finish with impeccably timed rides.

Read the full article at bloodhorse.com

Race of the Day:

ZJ's Turf Race of the Day

Today John turns his attention to the 5th at Woodbine, the G3 Jacques Carter Stakes. ‘I've followed #4 Flag of Honour since he ran in Australia and shipped here to continue his career on Lasix. The barn feels he is dead fit for the first time and is sitting on a big effort 2nd off the layoff. He should flaunt his talent late for victory’

John has been handicapping thoroughbred horse races and picking winners at Saratoga and beyond for 30 years. Grass racing is his true specialty, He’s developed his own style of finding Double Digit Turf Winners.

Good Luck!

Folllow all of ZJ’s selections at pick4win.com

Six Breakfast Spots to Try in Saratoga Springs for Belmont Stakes

If you find yourself in Saratoga Springs, N.Y., for the Belmont Stakes Presented by NYRA Bets, you’re in for a treat with its diverse and delicious restaurant options — including breakfast spots! Whether you’re craving a quick coffee and bagel or a leisurely sit-down breakfast, Saratoga Springs has something to offer everyone.

Here are our top six spots to kick-start your day during the Belmont Racing Festival.

1. Fat Paulie's Delicatessen

Address: 92 Congress St, Saratoga Springs, NY, 12866

Opening Time: 8 a.m. ET

Start your day with a hearty breakfast sandwich at Fat Paulie’s Delicatessen. Known for its flavorful, stacked sandwiches, this small business provides a perfect, satisfying start to your morning adventures in Saratoga Springs. This local deli is a fan-favorite spot, so it can get pretty busy! Order at the counter and explore other offerings within the shop while you wait for your fresh sandwich to-go.

Read the full article at americasbestracing.net

Podcast of the Day:

Nick Luck Podcast

It's all about the Epsom Derby this week and we start by hearing how you win the Derby from stall 1, from one of only two jockeys to have done so, Kieren Fallon. Can Ryan Moore become the third aboard favourite City of Troy tomorrow?

Listen to Nick’s Podcast

Racing Overseas:The Derby

City of Troy on Road to Redemption in Epsom Derby

Trainer Aidan O'Brien with City of Troy at Ballydoyle

Colt disappointed as the favorite when ninth last out in Two Thousand Guineas (G1).

If City of Troy recaptures his 2-year-old brilliance in the June 1 Epsom Derby (G1) it will be an almost exact replica of stablemate Auguste Rodin 12 months ago.

After flopping in the 2023 Two Thousand Guineas (G1) as a short-priced favorite, Auguste Rodin was heavily backed to recoup losses ahead of the premier classic and redeemed his reputation with a thrilling half-length victory over King of Steel .

City of Troy was equally abysmal when the 4-6 favorite for the Guineas at Newmarket, but his price contracted rapidly a fortnight ago for Epsom and he looks likely to head the market.

Read the full article at Bloodhorse.com

Ezeliya 'Does Everything Right' in Epsom Oaks Success

Ezeliya rallies home to win the Epsom Oaks at Epsom Racecourse

Trainer Dermot Weld landed his second Epsom Oaks (G1) success 43 years after his first as Ezeliya stormed clear in the final furlong under Chris Hayes May 31.

Outsider Making Dreams cut out all the early running, with Hayes positioning his 3-year-old near the back of the chasing pack ahead of favorite Ylang Ylang , who sat last under Ryan Moore.

As the field swung round Tattenham Corner, Hayes angled the daughter of Dubawi out and made rapid headway down the outside alongside the David Menuisier-trained War Chimes , while William Buick headed to the inside aboard Dance Sequence .

Read the full article at bloodhorse.com

Where on Earth?

Can you name the British Racecourse where racing has taken place since at least 1718?

To find the answer visit Steve’s Twitter/X page and scroll through the comments

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