Four G1 Runners Lead Eclipse Into Belmont Stakes Festival
The brightest lights in American racing return to Saratoga next week for the Belmont Stakes Racing Festival, and Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners is preparing to arrive in Upstate New York with one of the deepest and most accomplished festival lineups in the stable’s nearly 15-year history.
Seven Eclipse runners are entered to compete from Thursday through Saturday, including four at the Grade 1 level and two more in Grade 2 company as the baby blue and black once again take aim at racing’s grandest stages.
It is precisely the type of week that #BelieveBig was built to represent.
Leading the charge is three-time Grade 1-winning star Journalism, who is slated to contest Saturday’s $1 million Metropolitan Handicap (G1) from post seven under Jose Ortiz. Trained by Michael McCarthy, the classic-winning son of Curlin will make the second start of his 4-year-old campaign in the historic one-mile test.
The stable’s powerful contingent of #EclipseFillies will also be prominently featured throughout the week.
Kentucky Oaks runner-up Meaning is expected to headline Friday’s storied $500,000 Acorn Stakes (G1), where she will face the first-, third-, and fifth-place finishers from last month’s Oaks. Also trained by McCarthy, the daughter of Gun Runner reunites with Juan Hernandez.
Multiple graded stakes winner Speed Shopper has earned her place in the starting gate for Friday’s prestigious $750,000 New York Stakes (G1) on turf. Trained by Will Walden, the daughter of Quality Road enters off a victory in Keeneland’s Bewitch Stakes (G3) and has continued to train sharply at Churchill Downs. Manny Franco has the call.
Saturday’s Grade 1 action continues with Classic Q in the Just A Game Stakes (G1), where the speedy gray filly will attempt to take them gate-to-wire once again in the one-mile turf event under Hall of Famer John Velazquez. Trained by Mark Casse, the 4-year-old last accomplished that feat on Kentucky Derby Day when winning the $1 million Churchill Distaff Turf Mile Stakes (G2).
The week begins Thursday with marathon campaigner Corruption — third last out in the Turf Classic Stakes (G1) at Churchill Downs — targeting the $250,000 Belmont Gold Cup (G2) for Team Casse alongside Roja in the $250,000 Intercontinental Stakes (G2) for Graham Motion.
Corruption has been installed as the 7-5 morning-line favorite in the two-mile Gold Cup with Velazquez aboard. Roja, who sped to victory during Derby week at Churchill Downs in her 4-year-old debut, has trained impressively leading into the Intercontinental and will be piloted by Irad Ortiz Jr..
Promising 3-year-old filly Measure represents the lone Eclipse runner not competing in graded stakes company. The daughter of Essential Quality will make her second start off the layoff Thursday when she lines up in an entry-level allowance at Saratoga. The 1 1/8-mile dirt event should suit her well as she looks to position herself for a significant second half of the season for Team Casse. Jose Ortiz will ride.
Success on Belmont week stages has become increasingly familiar territory for Eclipse over the years.
In 2015, #EclipseFilly Curalina captured the prestigious Acorn Stakes (G1), while classic-winning colt Tapwrit added another defining chapter two years later when he captured the Belmont Stakes (G1) — the third jewel of the Triple Crown. Destin was narrowly beaten when finishing second in the Belmont in 2016, #EclipseFilly Nest delivered a courageous runner-up finish against the boys in 2022, and Journalism was also second one year ago — giving Eclipse first- or second-place finishers in the Belmont Stakes four times over the last 14 years.
Now, another talented group prepares to take its shot beneath the bright lights at Saratoga.
From accomplished graded stakes performers to emerging stars looking to announce themselves on the national stage, the upcoming Belmont Stakes Racing Festival lineup encapsulates what Eclipse has always represented on the sport’s biggest stages: Honoring Tradition, Inspiring Innovation, and Making History.