Saturday's 11-race Stars and Stripes Day card at Belmont Park in Elmont, N.Y., highlighted by an Irish-bred sweep of the $700,000 Grade 1 Belmont Oaks and $1 million Grade 1 Belmont Derby, generated all-sources handle of $21,535,076.
One of three graded stakes on the Stars and Stripes program, the Belmont Oaks kicked off the 2021 Turf Triple series on the female side, with the Saratoga Oaks and Jockey Club Oaks on the calendar for August 8 and September 18, respectively. Saturday's 43rd edition of the Belmont Oaks saw the Aiden O'Brien-trainee Santa Barbara storm to the lead late to best her five competitors.
In the Belmont Derby, an Irish-bred again rose to the occasion when Bolshoi Ballet stormed to an impressive victory for trainer Aidan O'Brien and a Coolmore ownership group including Michael Tabor, Mrs. John Magnier, Derrick Smith, and Westerberg.
Following the Belmont Derby, the Turf Triple for males will shift to Saratoga for the $1 million Grade 1 Saratoga Derby Invitational on August 7. The final leg of the Turf Triple for males is the $1 million Jockey Club Derby on September 18 at Belmont Park.
In addition to the Belmont Derby and Belmont Oaks, Saturday's card included the $150,000 Grade 3 Victory Ride, which was captured by Live Oak Plantation's Souper Sensational
Saturday's on-track handle was $1,923,650 and paid attendance was 3,574.
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