Cox lines up formidable Belmont Stakes weekend trio

Trainer Brad Cox won’t saddle a Belmont Stakes starter, but he’ll send a top trio to the gates in some of the weekend’s other showcase events.

Arklow is a probable for the Belmont Gold Cup Invitational (G2), set for June 7 at Belmont Park.

The following day, Cox intends to run Beau Recall in the Just a Game Stakes (G1).

“They’re doing great,” said Cox, who recently saddled third-place finisher Owendale in the Preakness Stakes.

“Arklow and Beau Recall breezed on the turf Sunday at Churchill and breezed amazing. Both bounced out of it in good order. 

“One more work and then they jump on the plane next Wednesday. I think they’re both set up.”

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Arklow has five wins over 19 starts and has collected $1,203,382 in career earnings. Florent Geroux is scheduled to ride the 5-year-old son of Arch in the Belmont Gold Cup.

Last time out, Arklow finished second by a neck to Channel Maker in the Man o’ War Stakes (G1) on May 11 at Belmont.

Arklow seeks his third graded stakes win, following the 2017 American Turf Stakes (G2) at Churchill Downs and last year’s Kentucky Turf Cup Stakes (G3) at Kentucky Downs. He’s owned by Donegal Racing.

Other Belmont Gold Cup probables include Highland Sky, Hunter O’Riley, Thomas Hobson, Focus Group, Amade, Red Knight, Canessar, Epical and Raa Atoll. The race for 4-year-olds and up goes two miles around the Belmont turf.

Beau Recall is a 5-year-old mare sired by Sir Prancealot and co-owned by Slam Dunk Racing and Medallion Racing. Over 22 starts, she’s won six times and earned $740,512.

Beau Recall has won three of her last four races, including last time out in the Churchill Distaff Turf Mile Stakes (G2) on Kentucky Derby day in Louisville. Irad Ortiz Jr. guided her to a 1 1/4-length triumph that day over Got Stormy.

The mare’s other graded stakes victory came last April at Santa Anita Park in the Royal Heroine Stakes (G2).

Joining Beau Recall as Just a Game probables are Rushing Fall, Daddy is a Legend, Precieuse, Bellavais, Got Stormy and Environs. The mile-long turf showcase is open to fillies and mares, 4-years and up.

Ortiz is again scheduled to have the mount on Beau Recall.

“Obviously we haven’t drawn or entered yet, so I don’t know what the races will look like,” Cox said. “But I know both horses are doing well. 

“Obviously, it’s New York, it’s Belmont weekend. They’re going to be deep, solid races. (Arklow and Beau Recall) will both need to bring their A-game to get the job done.” 

Cox is also targeting Belmont’s $150,000 Jersey Girl Stakes, set for June 9, with Klein Racing’s Break Even. The 3-year-old has won all four of her career starts, including the Eight Belles Stakes (G2) on May 3 at Churchill Downs.

Shaun Bridgmohan, aboard for three of Break Even's four wins, will pilot the Country Day filly at Belmont.