Sadler's Joy in top form ahead of Joe Hirsch Turf Classic

Trainer Tom Albertrani said he's confident that Woodslane Farm's multiple graded stakes winner Sadler's Joy is in top form ahead of his start on Saturday in a hotly contested edition of the Grade 1 Joe Hirsch Turf Classic at Belmont Park.

The 4-year-old colt by Kitten's Joy has put in three local breezes since registering a half-length victory in the Grade 1 Sword Dancer on August 26 at Saratoga Race Course, his second stakes win of 2017. Sadler's Joy hasn't finished worse than third in six starts this year, with his worst result coming over a yielding turf course in the Grade 1 Man o' War, where he was nosed out for second and checked in six lengths behind the Irish heroine Zhukova.

"The horse has been training extremely well since he ran in the Sword Dancer," Albertrani said Thursday morning. "It looks like it's a pretty competitive field, but this horse has done very well. He's very consistent; he's always within a length of winning and losing. I think a good clean trip could certainly get us there again. I feel pretty confident about him going into the race."

Installed as the third choice on the morning line at odds of 4-1 in the 1 ½-mile grass route, Sadler's Joy drew post 4 in the Joe Hirsch and will be ridden again by Julien Leparoux, who utilized the colt's late kick to edge out Money Multiplier in the Sword Dancer.

"I think the mile and a half distance just suits this horse really well," he said. "I think maybe that's the biggest factor for him. The distance certainly helps him and if he can get a good trip, he's got a tremendous turn of foot turning for home. As long as he gets himself clear, he's going to make his presence felt right there at the end."

With his Sword Dancer victory, Sadler's Joy already owns an all-fees-paid berth into the Grade 1, $4 million Longines Breeders' Cup Turf on November 4 at Del Mar, which ostensibly relieves some of the pressure ahead of the Joe Hirsch, also a "Win and You're In" qualifier for the Breeders' Cup.

"The Breeders' Cup is obviously the next target, depending on a good outcome," said Albertrani. "It's not like we have to win but if we come with a good effort and we're right there, it brings us to the next one. As consistent as he's been in the past, I don't see why he shouldn't come with his 'A' game again.

"He's definitely looked great in his last couple of races," he added. "I couldn't be happier with a horse going into a race. I don't think he's lost anything since he ran and I just think he seems like he's staying consistent in his races, which is what I like to see. It's just a matter of getting there."

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With a special first post time of 12:30 p.m. on Saturday, September 30, Belmont Park will host a number of events for Joe Hirsch Turf Classic Day on Saturday and on Sunday, October 1.

The Breakfast at Belmont program returns for the weekend, from 7:30-9:30 a.m., where fans and patrons can enjoy a breakfast buffet while watching thoroughbreds train over historic 'Big Sandy.' The Breakfast at Belmont program also includes a free paddock show and starting gate demonstration. A barn area tour will also be offered, weather permitting. 

When gates open for entry at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, Belmont Park's spacious backyard will feature a special "Family Fun Day." A number of activities for families and children will take place including a reptile show, animal kingdom activity center, face painting, a bounce house and rock wall climbing. Family Fun Day will also return for its usual offering on Sunday and include events such as a petting zoo, pony rides, firetruck slide and carnival games. 

On Sunday, October 1, the third annual National Stair Climb for Fallen Firefighters will take place at Belmont Park. Expected to draw over 1,000 firefighters from in and around the New York Metropolitan area, patrons visiting Belmont Park can also participate in the stair climb in honor of the sacrifices of firefighters made on September 11, 2001 at the World Trade Center Towers. 

Registration will open at 8:30 a.m. in the Red Parking Lot on the 1st floor located at the far end of the Grandstand by the Belmont Long Island Railroad Station. The climb will begin at 10 a.m. and participants will climb the equivalent of 110 stories, covering both stairwells and most of the third-floor Grandstand and Clubhouse to symbolize the steps of the Twin Towers. Following the climb, participants will be treated to an afternoon barbecue buffet at the Top of the Stretch. 

Registrations costs for the third annual National Stair Climb are as follows: $35 for only the climb; $50 for the climb and barbecue buffet after party; $50 for supporters and after party; $35 for the after party only for ages 16 and up, and $25 for the after party for children ages 4-15. Children 3 and under are free.