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Sovereign Makes U.S. Bow in Man O’ War

Tabor, Magnier and Smith's Sovereign (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), winless since a blowout score in the 2019 G1 Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby, makes his first start on these shores in Saturday's GI Man O' War S. at Belmont Park.

Second to dual Cartier Horse of the Year Enable (GB) (Nathaniel {Ire}) in the G1 King George VI and Queen Elizabeth for Aidan O'Brien at Ascot last July, the 5-year-old enters off a close third in the Bahrain International Trophy Nov. 20.

The rail-drawn, 8-5 morning-line favorite kicks off his campaign for Chad Brown, who also secured the 2014 GI Belmont Oaks Invitational S. with Minorette (Smart Strike) for the Coolmore partners.

“We received him over the winter at Payson Park and he's settled into a nice work pattern,” Brown said. “He came over very sound, and in great shape from Aidan. He sure trains like a horse with a lot of quality. I've seen him train on firm ground in Florida and he's fine with it. He can handle some cut in the ground.”

Brown continued, “I'm not trying to reinvent the wheel with him, so if he has speed, I wouldn't take that away from him. He's pretty forward in his breezes. He grabs the bit and goes on. If he breaks well and Irad [Ortiz, Jr.] wants to put him on the front, I would be happy with that.”

The field of eight also includes the talented Gufo (Declaration of War). His sophomore campaign was headed by a win in the GI Belmont Derby Invitational S. Oct. 3 and a close third, beaten just a neck, behind the talented Domestic Spending (GB) (Kingman {GB}) and Smooth Like Strait (Midnight Lute) in the GI Hollywood Derby last out Nov. 28.

Domestic Spending, of course, returned to dead-heat for a win in the GI Old Forester Bourbon Turf Classic S. on the GI Kentucky Derby undercard with the latter right there in a close third.

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Weekend Lineup: Five Graded Stakes At Belmont Saturday

TVG will be broadcasting racing throughout the weekend from Santa Anita and Gulfstream Park, and more. Fans can tune in on TVG, TVG2 and the Watch TVG app, which is available on Amazon Fire, Roku and connected Apple TV devices.

“America's Day at the Races” will be live on Saturday, May 8 on FS2 from 2-6:30 p.m. featuring the live programming at Belmont Park, which gets into full swing with five graded stakes. The Grade 3 Peter Pan Stakes, the local a prep for the Grade 1 Belmont Stakes on June 5, and the Grade 1 Man o' War on turf, will be the highlights of the day. On Sunday, May 9, “America's Day at the Races” will air on FS2 from 12:30-6 p.m. ET.

Saturday, May 8

2:31 p.m. ―$150,000 Grade 3 Runhappy Stakes at Belmont Park on FS2

Mr. Amore Stable's 6-year-old Florida homebred Firenze Fire, a winner of 12 races and more than $2.2 million, is the 4-5 morning line favorite against four rivals in the Grade 3 $150,000 Runhappy Stakes for 4-year-olds and up at 6 furlongs. Trained by Kelly Breen, Firenze Fire, ridden by the three-time Eclipse Award-winner, Irad Ortiz Jr., is making his 2021 debut. Last year, Firenze Fire won two Grade 2 stakes races at Belmont, capturing the True North in June and the Vosburgh in September. Following the Vosburgh, Firenze Fire finished a fast-closing third in the Grade 1 Breeders' Cup Sprint at Keeneland. Michael Dubb's Chateau earned his first graded- stakes score in March when the Rob Atras-trained 6-year-old gelding captured the Grade 3 Tom Fool Handicap at Aqueduct. Chateau will try to rebound from a well-beaten fourth-place finish in the Grade 1 Carter Handicap on April 3.

Entries: https://www.equibase.com/static/entry/BEL050821USA4-EQB.html

3:34 p.m. ―$150,000 Grade 3 Beaugay Stakes at Belmont Park on FS2

Three fillies and mares out of last year's Grade 1 Maker's Mark Filly & Mare Turf ― Harvey's Lil Goil (third), Civil Union (fifth) and Nay Lady Nay (IRE) (eighth) ― will be making their 2021 debuts on Saturday in Belmont's $150,000 Grade 3 Beaugay Stakes at 1 1/16 miles on turf. Trained by Bill Mott, and breaking from the rail under Junior Alvarado, Harvey's Lil Goil won the Grade 3 Regret at Churchill Downs and the Grade 1 Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup at Keeneland last year. Allen Stable's 6-year-old mare Civil Union, a winner five times in nine starts for trainer Shug McGaughey, captured the Grade 2 Glens Falls Stakes at Saratoga and the Grade 1 Flower Bowl at Belmont in 2020. Last year, the Chad Brown-trained Nay Lady Nay won the Grade 3 WinStar Matchmaker Stakes at Monmouth Park and was third in the Flower Bowl.

Entries: https://www.equibase.com/static/entry/BEL050821USA6-EQB.html

4:06 p.m. ―$150,000 Grade 3 Vagrancy Handicap at Belmont Park on FS2

Holly Hill Stables' 6-year-old Pacific Gale leads seven fillies and mares in a wide open renewal of the Grade 3 Vagrancy Stakes at 6 ½ furlongs. Trained by John Kimmel and ridden from post six by John Velazquez, Pacific Gale, third in last year's Vagrancy, has won both her starts this year, taking the Grade 2 Inside Information and the Grade 3 Hurricane Bertie at Gulfstream Park this winter. Stepping into graded-stakes company for the first time, the Brad Cox-trained French Empire is also unbeaten this year, coming from off the pace to win her last two starts at Oaklawn Park. Tommy Town Thoroughbreds' 5-year-old Victim of Love, trained by Todd Beattie, is the defending champion, winning last year's Vagrancy by 1 ¾ lengths at 27-1. Victim of Love, who was third, beaten 2 ½ lengths, in last year's Grade 1 Ballerina at Saratoga, finished second in an allowance optional claiming race at Laurel Park on Feb. 26 in her lone start this year.

Entries: https://www.equibase.com/static/entry/BEL050821USA7-EQB.html

5:12 p.m. ―$200,000 Grade 3 Peter Pan Stakes at Belmont Park on FS2

Klaravich Stables' Risk Taking is the 7-5 morning line favorite against five fellow 3-year-olds for Saturday's $200,000 Grade 3 Peter Pan Stakes, the local prep for the Grade 1 Belmont Stakes on June 5. After rocketing down the Aqueduct stretch to win the Grade 3 Withers Stakes by 3 ¾ lengths, Risk Taking will try to rebound off his seventh-place finish in the Grade 2 Wood Memorial on April 3 as the 5-2 favorite. Irad Ortiz Jr., the nation's leading money-earning rider, has the mount from post six. Michael Shanley's Nova Rags, a chestnut son of 2012 Belmont Stakes winner Union Rags, won the Pasco Stakes at Tampa Bay Downs in February and then was second in Grade 3 Sam F. Davis Stakes , and fourth in the Grade 1 Curlin Florida Derby for trainer Bill Mott. Recent Hall of Fame inductee Todd Pletcher sends out Overtook, second in the Withers, and Promise Keeper, a 5 ½-length allowance optional claiming winner at Keeneland on April 8.

Entries: https://www.equibase.com/static/entry/BEL050821USA9-EQB.html

5:44 p.m. ―$700,000 Grade 1 Man o' War at Belmont Park on FS2

New York's first Grade 1 turf event of 2021 brings international intrigue to Belmont Park on Saturday as Michael Tabor, Mrs. John Magnier and Derrick Smith's 5-year-old Sovereign (IRE), winner of the 2019 Group 1 Irish Derby, makes his U.S. debut under new trainer Chad Brown, headlining an eight-horse field for the 1 3/8-mile Man o' War Stakes. Formerly trained by Aidan O'Brien, Sovereign was second by 5 ½ lengths to Enable (GB) in last year's Group 1 King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot. He has not started since finishing third in the Bahrain International Trophy at Sakhir on Nov. 20. Irad Ortiz Jr. has the mount breaking from post one. Otter Bend Stables' 4-year-old Gufo has a Grade 1 victory among his five wins in eight starts, taking the Belmont Invitational Derby last October for trainer Christophe Clement. He was also a fast-closing third in the Grade 1 Hollywood Derby last out on Nov. 28. The Bill Mott-trained Moon Over Miami was third in the Grade 3 MacDiarmida and second in the Grade 2 Pan American at Gulfstream Park in his last two starts. Three Diamonds Farm's Field Pass chased Raging Bull into the stretch of the Grade 1 Maker's Mark Mile at Keenland on April 9, before winding up fourth.

Entries: https://www.equibase.com/static/entry/BEL050821USA10-EQB.html

7:19 p.m. ―$100,000 Grade 3 Santa Barbara Stakes at Santa Anita Park on TVG

LNJ Foxwood's 5-year-old Tapwater is the 9-5 morning line favorite against seven fillies and mares in Saturday 1 ½-mile Grade 3 Santa Barbara Stakes at Santa Anita Park. Seeking her first graded stakes win, Tapwater, a gray/roan daughter of Tapit, is trained by Richard Mandella and will be ridden from post three by Flavien Prat. Tapwater finished fourth, beaten four lengths, in her previous start, the Grade 2 Royal Heroine at Santa Anita on April 3. Canadian-bred Rideforthecause, trained by Michael McCarthy, seventh in the Royal Heroine, won last year's Grade 2 Canadian Stakes at Woodbine for trainer Gail Cox. Madaket Stables, Laura De Seroux, Marsha Naify and Mathilde Powell's Neige Blanche (FR) has raced four times in the U.S. since coming over from France last year, with her best finish being a third in last September's Grade 1 Belmont Oaks Invitational.

Entries: https://www.equibase.com/static/entry/SA050821USA7-EQB.html

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Cuomo Announces Major Capacity Increase at N.Y. Tracks

New York Governor Andrew Cuomo announced a major capacity increase at the state's racetracks and other outdoor large-scale sports and entertainment facilities Wednesday.

The new order, which takes effect May 19, permits venue capacity to as much space as needed to meet the six-feet apart social distancing mandate. Another key part of the mandate is that fully vaccinated fans can be spaced next to one another, rather than six-feet apart, in areas that are separate from non-vaccinated patrons.

“NYRA joins sports and entertainment venues throughout the state in thanking Governor Cuomo for providing us with the opportunity to dramatically expand capacity beginning on May 19,” said NYRA's Pat McKenna. “New York is turning the page on the COVID-19 pandemic, and we are looking forward to a tremendous summer ahead at Belmont Park and Saratoga Race Course. NYRA welcomed fans back to Belmont Park this past Saturday for the first time in 552 days, and we will soon release additional ticket inventory for the 2021 Belmont Stakes to reflect this new guidance and safely welcome even more fans to one of racing's biggest days on June 5.”

The announcement came just one day prior to tickets going on sale for the June 5 GI Belmont S. It was also just four days after Belmont opened to fans for the first time in over a year May 1 under an order that announced 20% capacity in mid-April. The increase in capacity also comes in plenty of time for the ultra-popular Saratoga meet.

“As Governor Cuomo announced, it's now possible for stadiums and racetracks to open sections at 100% capacity by requiring all spectators within those areas to be vaccinated,” McKenna said. “Saratoga Race Course is an ideal venue to implement just that approach for the benefit of our fans, the upstate economy and the thoroughbred racing industry in New York State.”

He continued, “While we determine exactly how this guidance will apply to Saratoga Race Course, which offers a wide variety of differentiated sections and seating options, we are tremendously optimistic about the 2021 summer meet. NYRA is committed to safely welcoming as many fans as possible by utilizing all areas including the backyard and offering ticket options that are fair and equitable.”

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Malathaat Could Enter Belmont Stakes, If Velazquez Is Available

Undefeated Kentucky Oaks winner Malathaat is under consideration for the Grade 1 Belmont Stakes on June 5, reports the Thoroughbred Daily News.

The 3-year-old daughter of Curlin is best suited by longer distances, explained Shadwell Farms' Vice President and General Manager Rick Nichols, and there aren't any other two-turn Grade 1 races for fillies and mares until July.

“It has crossed our minds,” Nichols told the TDN. “One issue would be whether or not we could get John Velazquez. If Medina Spirit wins the Preakness Stakes., obviously John will have to choose him for the Belmont. No one would blame him for choosing that horse.”

Trainer Todd Pletcher already has experience with successfully sending a filly from the Kentucky Oaks to win the Belmont Stakes, having accomplished the feat in 2007 with Rags to Riches. A total of three fillies have won the Belmont.

Read more at the Thoroughbred Daily News.

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