On-track victories aren’t the only way to win in thoroughbred racing. We sent forth a trio of horses in the Belmont Stakes Racing Festival and although none won, everyone who attended had a phenomenal time.
Debuting Preservationist got the ball rolling, as his first race kicked off the Friday card at Belmont Park. The big colt finished a closing second to the more experienced Bombs Away, who was making his second career start. Preservationist’s massive gallop-out drew quite a bit of attention from those watching.
@Centennial_Farm Huge effort. Tough post from the rail. Graduation day next out. Saratoga winner. @RACETRACKERS1
— William G. Gotimer (@WilliamGotimer) June 10, 2016
Runner-up Preservationist is a runner as well. We will be hearing good things from both of the first two finishers going forward.
— Andy Serling (@andyserling) June 10, 2016
@Centennial_Farm Exceptional Debut for Preservationist. Sky’s the limit. Looks like a classic type. Still the next coming !
— Matthew J. Ellis (@MatthewJEllis2) June 10, 2016
The form of highly regarded Bombs Away would go on to be further franked. Connect, another touted three-year-old who had defeated Bombs Away in their respective debuts, was an impressive allowance winner on the Belmont Stakes card.
Later on Friday, Adulator made his first start since breaking his maiden at Aqueduct Racetrack in the spring. Unfortunately, the handsome bay stumbled repeatedly exiting the starting gate. While many horses would throw in the towel after such an inauspicious beginning, Adulator demonstrated quite a bit of heart, and ability, to rejoin contention before flattening out to fourth.
Our final starter of the prestigious week’s racing was Securitiz, who made his graded stakes debut in the G2 Brooklyn. A disadvantageous draw in the far outside post meant plenty of lost ground. In fact, Trakus data shows he covered more distance than all but one other horse in the field at a whopping 57 feet more than the winner. Despite that, the big step up on class, and the fairly quick turnaround, Securitiz put up a big performance. He missed second by less than 1 3/4 lengths while finishing fifth to his champion stablemate, the runaway winner Shaman Ghost.
Three big on-track efforts left us plenty to be proud of as we enjoyed one of the year’s biggest cards of racing. Based out of the exquisite Champagne Room, which offered exclusive access to the Clubhouse apron, family, friends, and partners came together to watch a world-class day. Check out some of the scenes of the day and get in touch if you want to make sure you’re there for the next go-around!
