Belmont Derby, Oaks winners to pursue Turf Triple sweeps
Following Saturday's Belmont Derby (G1) and Belmont Oaks (G1) invitationals, good news arrived both for New York Racing Association officials and for fans hoping to see a new feat in the sport.
Connections to both winners -- Henley's Joy (Derby) and Concrete Rose (Oaks) -- expressed interest in completing their respective divisions of the Turf Triple Series.
The first-year Turf Triple will also feature newly created, lucrative stakes next month at Saratoga and back at Belmont Park in September.
"Absolutely," trainer Rusty Arnold, who conditions Concrete Rose, said after Saturday's victory. Likewise, Jeff Bloom, whose Bloom Racing Stable campaigns Henley's Joy, said he got "goosebumps" thinking about a shot at becoming America's first Triple Crown winner of sorts on the grass.
For the boys, the Turf Trinity, as the feat is called, consists of three $1 million races.
| Stake | Date & Track | Distance |
| G1 Belmont Derby | Saturday, July 6 at Belmont Park | 1 1/4 Miles |
| Saratoga Derby | Sunday, August 4 at Saratoga | 1 3/16 Miles |
| Jockey Club Derby * | Saturday, September 7 at Belmont Park | 1 1/2 Miles |
*Breeders' Cup Win and You're In Turf Division
And for the girls, each race in the Turf Tiara is worth $750,000.
| Stake | Date & Track | Distance |
| G1 Belmont Oaks | Saturday, July 6 at Belmont Park | 1 1/4 Miles |
| Saratoga Oaks | Friday, August 2 at Saratoga | 1 3/16 Miles |
| Jockey Club Oaks | Saturday, September 7 at Belmont Park | 1 3/8 Miles |
The Saratoga Oaks will air on Fox Sports 2, with the Saratoga Derby on Fox Sports 1. Both the Jockey Club Oaks and Derby are scheduled for an NBC broadcast.
Nominations close July 20 for the second legs, with Aug. 24 the deadline for the third. As with the Belmont Derby and Oaks, the races are considered invitationals.