Latest news with #Belmont
USA Today
2 hours ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Journalism will compete in Belmont Stakes, draws announced Monday
Journalism will compete in Belmont Stakes, draws announced Monday Show Caption Hide Caption Sovereignty Captures 2025 Kentucky Derby Sovereignty triumphed in a rain-soaked 2025 Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs, overcoming tough conditions and a competitive field. Journalism is expected to race in the $2 million Grade 1 Belmont Stakes race on Saturday, June 7. The 3-year-old colt is coming off a victory as the odds-on favorite in the Preakness Stakes race on May 17, working his way from along the rail and in the middle of the pack to break free after the final turn and overcoming some bumping from other competitors. Michael W. McCarthy, Journalism's trainer, praised the horse by telling the New York Racing Association that "he's a wonderful mover. He gets over the ground very well. He's got an incredible stride to him." Journalism finished the Preakness with a time of 1 minute, 55.47 seconds at Pimlico in Baltimore, Maryland. The Preakness winner will go against a field that features Sovereignty, the Kentucky Derby winner. Journalism finished in second place in the Kentucky Derby on May 3. Journalism will be the only horse among the Belmont field that's competed in all three Triple Crown races. Sovereignty did not compete in the Preakness. When will the Belmont Stake post position draws be announced? The Belmont Stakes post position draws will be held on Monday at 5 p.m. ET. Journalism wins the Preakness Stakes The biggest stories, every morning. Stay up-to-date on all the key sports developments by subscribing to USA TODAY Sports' newsletter.
Hamilton Spectator
a day ago
- Sport
- Hamilton Spectator
2024 Kentucky Derby winner Mystik Dan snaps 5-race losing skid with win in Blame at Churchill Downs
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — Mystik Dan snapped a five-race losing streak with a 1 1/4-length victory in the $270,000 Blame Stakes on Saturday at Churchill Downs, where he won the 2024 Kentucky Derby. Mystik Dan won the 150th Derby by a nose in the closest three-horse photo finish since 1947. After that, his skid included a second in the Preakness, an eighth in the Belmont at Saratoga and a ninth in the Pegasus World Cup Invitational. 'In hindsight, I wish I could take away a couple of those races after the Triple Crown,' trainer Ken McPeek said. 'We got him back to his old self.' Reminiscent of that race, Mystik Dan relaxed off the pace along the inside rail, cut the corner at the top of the stretch and powered home Saturday under Brian Hernandez Jr. 'When Mystik Dan is right, he's such a fun horse to ride because he makes my job so easy,' Hernandez said. Mystik Dan 1 1/8 miles in a stakes record time of 1:48.45. He paid $8.12 to win as the 3-1 third choice. Antiquarian was second and 2-1 favorite Post Time was third. The victory, worth $166,710, increased Mystik Dan's career earnings to $4,417,570. ___ AP horse racing:
Winnipeg Free Press
a day ago
- Sport
- Winnipeg Free Press
2024 Kentucky Derby winner Mystik Dan snaps 5-race losing skid with win in Blame at Churchill Downs
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — Mystik Dan snapped a five-race losing streak with a 1 1/4-length victory in the $270,000 Blame Stakes on Saturday at Churchill Downs, where he won the 2024 Kentucky Derby. Mystik Dan won the 150th Derby by a nose in the closest three-horse photo finish since 1947. After that, his skid included a second in the Preakness, an eighth in the Belmont at Saratoga and a ninth in the Pegasus World Cup Invitational. 'In hindsight, I wish I could take away a couple of those races after the Triple Crown,' trainer Ken McPeek said. 'We got him back to his old self.' Reminiscent of that race, Mystik Dan relaxed off the pace along the inside rail, cut the corner at the top of the stretch and powered home Saturday under Brian Hernandez Jr. 'When Mystik Dan is right, he's such a fun horse to ride because he makes my job so easy,' Hernandez said. Mystik Dan 1 1/8 miles in a stakes record time of 1:48.45. He paid $8.12 to win as the 3-1 third choice. Antiquarian was second and 2-1 favorite Post Time was third. The victory, worth $166,710, increased Mystik Dan's career earnings to $4,417,570. ___ AP horse racing:
Yahoo
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
2024 Kentucky Derby winner Mystik Dan snaps 5-race losing skid with win in Blame at Churchill Downs
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — Mystik Dan snapped a five-race losing streak with a 1 1/4-length victory in the $270,000 Blame Stakes on Saturday at Churchill Downs, where he won the 2024 Kentucky Derby. Mystik Dan won the 150th Derby by a nose in the closest three-horse photo finish since 1947. Advertisement After that, his skid included a second in the Preakness, an eighth in the Belmont at Saratoga and a ninth in the Pegasus World Cup Invitational. 'In hindsight, I wish I could take away a couple of those races after the Triple Crown,' trainer Ken McPeek said. 'We got him back to his old self.' Reminiscent of that race, Mystik Dan relaxed off the pace along the inside rail, cut the corner at the top of the stretch and powered home Saturday under Brian Hernandez Jr. "When Mystik Dan is right, he's such a fun horse to ride because he makes my job so easy,' Hernandez said. Mystik Dan 1 1/8 miles in a stakes record time of 1:48.45. He paid $8.12 to win as the 3-1 third choice. Advertisement Antiquarian was second and 2-1 favorite Post Time was third. The victory, worth $166,710, increased Mystik Dan's career earnings to $4,417,570. ___ AP horse racing:
Edinburgh Reporter
4 days ago
- Sport
- Edinburgh Reporter
Belmont Stakes vs. St. Leger Stakes: Which Race Reigns as the Ultimate Challenge?
Equestrian sports like horse racing are big industries on both sides of the Atlantic. In fact, both have their version of the Triple Crown Series. In Britain, three-year-olds tackle the 2,000 Guineas, Derby, then St. Leger. In the U.S., it's the Kentucky Derby, Preakness, and Belmont. They have a few similarities. For example, the constituent races in both Triple Crowns are open to three-year-old colts and fillies. But if we talk about differences, we can start by comparing the last legs of both Triple Crowns, the British St. Leger Stakes and the American Belmont Stakes. Which final pose is more challenging? We'll sketch their shared roots, then break down their histories and contrasts. Photo by @coldbeer: The Belmont Stakes The Belmont Stakes wraps up the American Triple Crown each year on the second Sunday in June. Carried out annually, it's an American Grade I stakes race open to three-year-olds and competed over the worldwide classic distance of 1.5 miles or 12 furlongs. This race has several alternative names, the most popular of which is The Test of the Champion. It's also nicknamed The Run for the Carnations, as carnations are the traditional flower of the Belmont Stakes. The winner is draped with about 700 carnations, creating a 40-pound blanket. With no Triple Crown on the line this year and race day less than two weeks away, anticipation is already building. Fans are expected to flock to trusted betting platforms like FanDuel to monitor late odds shifts and insider insights before the gates open. Tracing a 150-Year-Old Tradition The Belmont Stakes debuted in June 1867 at Jerome Park in the Bronx. It's the oldest Triple Crown race and one of North America's earliest significant stakes contests. Conceived by August Belmont Sr. and Leonard Jerome, the inaugural running challenged three-year-olds over a mile and a half. It also coined the 'Test of the Champion' nickname, which still resonates today. Over the years, the Belmont Stakes has been held at the following racetracks. The most frequent venues are 1st Belmont Park (56 times) and 2nd Belmont Park (56 times). In 2025, the Belmont returns to Saratoga for a second straight running while Belmont Park undergoes renovations. When the Long Stretch Breaks the Best Being the last jewel of the American Triple Crown, its blanket of carnations remains one of the most sought-after prizes in horse racing. Belmont Park's famously long stretch has upended many would-be champions. Some skip the race altogether. Others fade in the final furlong. California Chrome is the latest example, sweeping the first two legs only to settle for fourth in the Belmont. Experts say the Belmont Stakes is the most strategic race in the American Triple Crown. It requires jockeys to efficiently maximise their horses' potential, conserve energy, and save ground whenever possible. Belmont Park is known for its long stretch. If the jockey is unfamiliar with it, it can break a horse's potential to win. So, it takes a calculated and smart jockey to pull off a smooth Belmont Stakes campaign. The St. Leger Stakes Closing the curtain on Britain's five Classics, the St. Leger Stakes is run last each year. Its distance of 1 mile, 6 furlongs, and 115 yards exceeds every other Classic in the lineup. Like Belmont, it doubles as the last leg of its Triple Crown and even carries extra prestige as the finale of the Fillies' Triple Crown. Run at Doncaster over a testing 1 mile, 6 furlongs, and 115 yards (2,921 meters), this Group 1 flat event welcomes only three-year-old colts and fillies. Its late-season slot and extended trip demand maturity and stamina, turning September's race day into a true showdown of classic endurance. The Making of a 250-Year-Old Classic The St. Leger Stakes began in 1776 as the 'Sweepstake of 25 Guineas,' founded by Major-General Anthony St Leger after he settled near Doncaster. Legend has it that guests suggested naming the race after the Marquess during a Doncaster's Red Lion pub celebratory dinner. But he instead honoured its creator, coining the 'St Leger' title in 1778. The race became famous two decades later when Champion completed the Derby–St Leger double in 1800. Shortly after, organisers trimmed the trip to today's 1 mile, 6 furlongs, cementing its reputation as the season's ultimate endurance test. Even now, the winning jockey receives a bespoke cap, serving as a nod to the race's storied past and enduring prestige. What Makes That Last Leg So Brutal Claiming the English Triple Crown is famously elusive. Many colts conquer the 2,000 Guineas at Newmarket and the Derby at Epsom, only to falter when the St. Leger's extended trip arrives. In fact, no horse has completed all three since Nijinsky's sweep in 1970, underscoring just how demanding that final leg can be. Nijinsky pulled off the last British Triple Crown in 1970, battling ringworm and fueled by a raw-egg-and-stout regimen. His authoritative win at Doncaster demonstrated that true champions rise above adversity when the stakes are highest. Legacy on Two Continents It's easy to argue which race is more challenging, but smarter to appreciate what each brings to the sport. Belmont's 'Test of the Champion' thrills with its mile-and-a-quarter dash, while the St. Leger rewards maturity and staying power. They spring from different pedigrees yet feed the same passion, which is to showcase the very best of the crop. As long as horses run and crowds gather, these two classics will remain pillars of racing tradition. Like this: Like Related
