by Pat McKenna
Saturday's blockbuster Belmont Stakes Day card, highlighted by Arcangelo’s victory in the 155th running of the Grade 1, $1.5 million Belmont Stakes presented by NYRA Bets, generated all-sources handle of $118,283,455, which is a NYRA record for a non-Triple Crown year.
The 2023 all-sources handle figure is an increase of more than five percent over the previous non-Triple Crown record of $112,725,278, which was set in 2021.
On-track handle for the 13-race Belmont Stakes Day card, which included six Grade 1 races among nine total stakes, was $10,657,332.
All-sources handle for the Belmont Stakes, which was carded as Race 12 was $56,533,820.
Following the construction of UBS Arena, and prior to the renovation of Belmont Park set to begin in 2024, capacity at the facility is 50,000.
Paid attendance on Saturday was 48,089.
The Belmont Park spring/summer meet continues through Sunday, July 9. For additional information, visit NYRA.com.
Ryan Martin
Madaket Stables’ L Street Lady doubled up on stakes scores, utilizing her newfound late-closing tactics to spring a 12-1 upset in Sunday’s $150,000 Jersey Girl for sophomore fillies going six furlongs at Belmont Park.
Mary Eddy
First Row Partners and Team Hanley’s Prerequisite had just enough left in the tank to stave off the late rush of Be Your Best and claim victory in Sunday’s Grade 2, $200,000 Wonder Again, a nine-furlong inner turf test for sophomore fillies, at Belmont Park.
NYRA Press Office
Trainer Jena Antonucci went to work as usual on Sunday morning, sending out a trainee to breeze a little past 8 a.m. at Belmont Park. The only difference in her morning routine was a sudden rush of reporters and photographers that gathered around a blanket of white carnations, clamoring to get a view of racing’s newest millionaire Arcangelo, the impressive winner of Saturday’s Grade 1, $1.5 million Belmont Stakes presented by NYRA Bets.
Mary Eddy
Trainer Jena Antonucci attained racing immortality when Blue Rose Farm’s Arcangelo stormed up the rail to claim a 1 1/2-length victory in Saturday’s 155th Grade 1, $1.5 million Belmont Stakes presented by NYRA Bets, a 1 1/2-mile marathon test for sophomores, at Belmont Park, marking the first time in history that a female trainer earned the blanket of white carnations.
NYRA Press Office
Repole Stable and St. Elias Stable’s Up to the Mark, having found new life on the turf this year, continued his career resurgence with a popular and powerful 2 3/4- length victory in Saturday’s Grade 1, $750,000 Resorts World Casino Manhattan at Belmont Park, becoming racing’s newest millionaire.
Keith McCalmont
Godolphin’s Kentucky homebred Cody’s Wish rallied into contention through the turn under Junior Alvarado and drew off impressively to capture Saturday’s Grade 1, $1 million Hill ‘n’ Dale Metropolitan Handicap, at Belmont Park.