Belmont Stakes Fields Taking Shape

A quartet of juvenile stakes highlights next weekend's stakes action at Belmont Park, with the Grade 1, $500,000 Champagne and the Grade 1, $500,000 Frizette for fillies - both Breeders' Cup "Win and You're In" races - on Saturday and the Grade 2, $200,000 Futurity and the Grade 2, $200,000 Matron for fillies on Sunday.

Also on Saturday are the Grade 3, $500,000 Hill Prince and the $200,000 Temperence Hill Invitational.

Likely for the one-mile Champagne are Grade 2 Sanford winner I Spent It, most recently second in the Grade 1 Hopeful; El Kabeir, who earned a 93 Beyer Speed Figure for his 10 ¾ length maiden victory on August 30; Daredevil, also an impressive maiden winner on September 13; Upstart, awarded a 95 Beyer for his victory against state-breds in the Funny Cide at Saratoga; recent maiden winner The Truth Or Else, and possibly Holy Boss.

The Frizette, also at a mile, is expected to attract Grade 1 Spinaway winner Condo Commando, who has won her two starts by a combined margin of 25 ¼ lengths; Cavorting, 2-for-2 including a victory in the Grade 2 Adirondack; By the Moon, second in the Spinaway; Feathered, a 9 ¼-length maiden winner from Todd Pletcher's barn; Wonder Gal, third in the Adirondack, and Ring Knocker, second in both her starts.

Targeting Sunday's Futurity at six furlongs are recent maiden winners Blofeld and Far Right, with Cinco Charlie, Majestic Affair and Requite also under consideration. Grade 3 Schuylerville winner Fashion Alert is probable for the Matron, as are Clothes Fall Off, a last-to-first winner over a sloppy track at Saratoga first time out, and Skipalute, with two seconds in three starts.

The Hill Prince, at 1 1/8 miles on the turf, is likely to feature Grade 1 Belmont Derby winner Mr Speaker; Grade 3 Saranac star Ring Weekend; European import Sloane Avenue; Tourist and Sheldon, second and third, respectively, in the Grade 1 Secretariat; and Saranac runner-up Smooth Daddy.

Probable for the 1 5/8-mile Temperence Hill are Grade 2 Brooklyn winner Norumbega, New York-bred stalwart Awesome Vision, and Grade 3 Greenwood Cup runner-up Ever Rider, with Elnaawi and Irsaal possible.

First race post time on both days is 12:50 p.m.

Source: NYRA