Only 3 graded stakes races happen this week. All 3 occur at Belmont Park in Elmont, New York. Big Sandy runs the Grade 3 Victory Ride on dirt, and a couple of Grade 1 turf races, both invitationals, on Saturday. Sunday, Belmont runs the River Memories Stakes. Although not a graded event, the River Memories should be a terrific race.
Check out top plays and Horse Racing Odds for the Top Stakes Races of the Week from Saturday, July 10th to Monday, July 11th. You can also visit our Online Racebook to place your bets on active racetracks.
Horse Racing Odds & Picks July 5th Edition
Top Stakes Races for the Week
- When: Saturday, July 10 – Sunday, July 11
Belmont Park – Saturday, July 10
- Grade 3 Victory Ride – 6 ½ furlongs dirt – $150,000
The hottest trainer in the U.S., Brad Cox, saddles two in the Victory Ride. Both Inject, an allowance winner in her last, and Australasia have big chances. Australasia should go off the chalk. The 3-year-old filly is undefeated in 7 races. Timothy Hamm trained Dayoutoftheoffice will have her fans. She finished fourth in her last, the Grade 1 Acorn, and is shortening up in this. Other contenders include Grade 3 Miss Preakness winner Red Ghost, Super Sensational, and Bella Sofia.
- Grade 1 Belmont Derby Invitational – 1 ¼ miles turf – $1,000,000
Plenty of talented 3-year-old colts will line up in the Belmont Derby Invitational starting gate. Todd Pletcher trained Sainthood won the Grade 3 Pennine Ridge. Sainthood finished eleventh in the Kentucky Derby in the race before. Trainer Aidan O’Brien ships Bolshoi Ballet. The Grade 3 winner finished seventh in the Grade 1 Epsom Derby in his last. Tokyo Gold, Palazzi, Hidden Enemy, and Du Jour should round out the deep, impressive, field.
- Grade 1 Belmont Oaks Invitational – 1 ¼ miles turf – $700,000
O’Brien enters Santa Barbara in the Oaks Invitational. The Camelot sired runner finished second in the Grade 1 Pretty Polly Stakes. Cristophe Clement trained Plum Ali, Todd Pletcher trained Con Lima, and Chad Brown’s Higher Truth will also run. So will Spanish Loveaffair, the second place finisher in the Grade 3 Regret in her last.
Belmont Park – Sunday, July 11
- River Memories Stakes – 1 ½ furlongs turf – $150,000
Although not graded, this year’s River Memories Stakes should attract a solid field. At least 6 runners will head to the starting gate, including likely favorite Civil Union. From the Bill Mott barn, Civil Union had won 4 straight before running into a brick wall. If the War Front sired 6-year-old mare turns around her form, she’ll be tough to beat. Other top runners include Delta’s Kingdom, Virginia Joy, Thankful, Mutamakina, and Call Me Love.
