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    • The 2026 running of the GI Belmont Stakes will be run at Saratoga Race Course for a third and final time, New York Governor Kathy Hochul and officials at the New York Racing Association (NYRA) said in a release Friday morning. “New York is home to world-class sports and entertainment and this final chapter of the Belmont Stakes at Saratoga Race Course honors our rich racing heritage while paving the way for a bold, new future at Belmont Park,” Governor Hochul said. “Bringing the race back to Saratoga next year will once again expand the audience for this storied leg of the Triple Crown and ensure fans continue to enjoy the full experience.” The new Belmont Park remains on schedule to open to the public in September 2026. Some consideration had been given to conducting the final leg of the Triple Crown at the partially completed facility with a limited number of racegoers next June, but the decision to return to Saratoga will allow the 2026 Belmont Stakes Racing Festival to proceed without restrictions that would have been necessitated at Belmont Park due to the ongoing work, according to the release. “Saratoga has served our fans and stakeholders extremely well as the temporary home of the Belmont Stakes during the construction of a new Belmont Park on Long Island,” said NYRA President and CEO David O'Rourke. “As we prepare for the opening of the new Belmont Park in the fall of 2026, NYRA is pleased to bring the Belmont Stakes to Saratoga for a third and final time next June. Belmont Park will always be the home of the Belmont Stakes and we look forward to its return to the newly reimagined Belmont in 2027.” Added Saratoga Springs Mayor John Safford: “It has been an honor and a privilege for Saratoga Springs to host The Belmont over the past two years. The exceptional collaboration between NYRA, the [Saratoga County] Chamber [of Commerce], Discover Saratoga, and other dedicated community partners has created a memorable experience for all who visited our city. We are excited to continue these strong partnerships and welcome an additional year of the Belmont in Saratoga for 2026.” The 2026 Belmont Stakes will take place Saturday, June 6, over the mile and a quarter due to the configuration of the Saratoga main track before returning to its traditional 12-furlong distance in 2027. Saratoga is set to host a special Fourth of July Racing Festival from Thursday, July 3 through Sunday, July 6, serving as a prelude to the main summer meeting which kicks off Thursday, July 10. Last month, it was announced that the new Belmont Park will play host to the 2027 Breeders' Cup World Championships for the first time since 2005. The post Belmont Stakes To Return To Saratoga In 2026 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article
    • By Jordyn Bublitz  Driving a winner at Cambridge Raceway last night was a “first” for junior driver Alicia Harrison. She drove For Always Arden to take out the Ferguson Racing Thanks Owners and Clients Mobile Pace and while it was her third win since returning to racing after being out of commission for a year due to shoulder surgery it was her first for her “new” boss Tony Herlihy since joining his stables in April.   “I was looking for a change, and the chance to work for Tony came up,” she said, “he’s one of the best there is driving and training, so it was an opportunity I definitely couldn’t pass by.” “I’m loving it, the team’s all been super good to me and the horses are lovely to work with.” Harrison gave the gelding a perfect trip, settling three-back the pegs behind race favourite Eyeliner. At the 400 metre mark the pair found clear air and made a strong bid down the centre of the track, ultimately being too strong for their rivals. “It was good to get the job done,” said Harrison, “I thought he was a nice enough chance if he could trail or get a bit of luck from three back.” It was the four-year-old’s first win four career starts.   Formerly a force in the northern junior driver ranks, Alicia was forced to take a break from the game due to a serious shoulder operation in May last year. “The surgeon wasn’t overly thrilled with my career choice,” she laughed, “it was a full year off of driving, the recovery was pretty brutal, a very slow process.” Since returning to driving in January this year, Harrison has had 16 drives for three winners and a further two placings. She says the plan moving forward is to just keep doing what she loves. “I still really love driving. I’ll keep doing my best when I get the opportunities. I’d really like to train one day but for now I’m happy at Tony’s.” Earlier in the night Bruce Hadley took out the first heat of New Zealand Amateur Drivers’ Championships at Cambridge with the Jeremy Young-trained Billy The Kid. John Kriechbaumer was second and Alan Edge third in what was a thrilling finish. The championships head to Addington tonight (Friday) and conclude at Addington on Sunday.            View the full article
    • By Jonny Turner  Northview Ocean completed an epic journey to the winner’s circle at Ascot Park on Thursday. The win may have seemed like a routine victory for the mare, who justified her strong backing when scoring for trainer Tyler Dewe, driver Mark Hurrell, and breeder-owner Cleland Murdoch. But over the past year, Northview Ocean’s chances of even making it to the races looked bleak at times. After making a strong start to her career, the pacer was found to have a cracked pelvis bone, with her condition quickly deteriorating. “When it happened, she was in a bad way — she could barely stand — but the vets did a great job with her,” Dewe said. “She ran second first-up and we had a pretty good opinion of her. She beat Ruby Roe in one of her early learners’ heats.” “But after the broken pelvis, we probably didn’t think we would even make it back to the races.” “Cleland could have sent her straight to the broodmare paddock, knowing she was a nice horse to breed from, but full credit to him for allowing us to give her another go.” “She probably won’t be the horse we thought she was early on, but in saying that I think she can still do a nice job.” “Whatever happens, to come back and win after going through all that is great for Cleland.” Northview Ocean looked to score easily after finding the lead in the middle stages, which has earned her another winter start. “I do want to turn her out, because I’m hoping with a good spell she will be able to get stronger,” Dewe said. “After everything she has been through, it has been hard to keep condition on her this prep.” “Mark said she jogged it today, so we will give her another start and go from there.” Dewe credited driver Rory McIlwrick for his work as Northview Ocean attempted to make it back to the track and into the winner’s circle.  “Rory has done a lot of work with her and he’s done a great job.” Northview Ocean scored in the turquoise and white silks formerly used by Ascot Park trainer Murray Faul. Dewe took over the colours after Faul retired from training, having prepared winners including multiple feature race winner Windermere Girl. The race prior to Northview Ocean’s victory was the Thank You Murray Faul Mobile Pace. The event acknowledged Faul’s service to the Invercargill Harness Racing Club, which would rival any contribution made in harness racing or any other sport. Faul recently finished his tenure on the club’s committee, marking 81 years of service.  He began working on the semaphore board at Invercargill Harness Racing Club’s meetings, before he eventually joined the club’s committee. The 96-year-old has made a significant contribution to harness racing in Southland, having served as judge at southern meeting and in many other administrative roles. View the full article
    • Presenter-driver-trainer Brittany Graham knows a thing or two about racing on both sides of the Tasman and now that the Queenslander is working for Trackside in this country she’s (reluctantly) agreed to write a weekly column. by Brittany Graham  With less than two weeks until the annual NZB Standardbred National Weanling Sale, it seemed the perfect opportunity to reflect on some of the more ‘shrewd’ purchases out of that sale ring. This year’s event will be run alongside the thoroughbred sale, which opens the opportunities to an even wider audience in 2025.   Christopher Dance – $8,000 Before he was Group 1 winning WA Derby winner Christopher Dance, lot 100 at the 2021 NZB Weanling Sale was knocked down to an $8000 bid. The Son of Sweet Lou out of a Bettors Delight mare was presented by Woodlands Stud as a first foal. Showing immense promise as a young horse, he ran a narrow second in the 2024 Great Northern Derby before being recruited by Team Bond in Perth. He made an instant impression, winning his first four starts including a dominant Group 1 WA Derby success in November last year. Before being exported to the United States earlier this year, his Australasian bank balance sat at a tick over $200,000 which will no doubt but added to once he steps out in Northern Hemisphere.   Kiss – $20,000 Renowned for his sharp yearling sale purchases, Dean Shannon proved he had an eye for a weanling bargain too when picking up Kiss as a part of the 2021 sale. She garnered her fair share of interest off the page of a stacked pedigree, and by being a correct individual, although the $20,000 price tag now looks astute. Tested against the very best of her division as a two and three-year-old, she herself changed hands midway through 2024 before joining Emma Stewart in Victoria. Shortly thereafter she was able to bag a Group 1 placing when second behind fellow kiwi bred mare Coastal Babe in the Victoria Oaks. Her crowning moment however came in the Vicbred Super Series 3yo Fillies Final where she took home a $50,000 winning cheque, that now sits alongside her $195,000 lifetime bank balance. Now a four-year-old, she is bound for another feature race tilt in Queensland in the coming weeks.   Heat Seeker – $42,000 A standout of the 2019 sales, plenty of smart judges were on the son of Sweet Lou which saw his price swell to a very respectable $42,000 when the gavel came down. Winning two races in the South Island for Stephen Boyd, he was subsequently purchased by the late Tony Veivers and sent across to Perth where he was subsequently known as ‘Wasa Heat Seeker’. He found his sweet spot however in Queensland with Nathan Dawson where he became a short course specialist, winning five from six starts at Albion Park including the Be Good Johnny Sprint. Quickly snapped up by North American interests thereafter, he went State-side via Menangle where he added further 1.50 miles to his CV and went down narrowly in 1.49.2. He looks tailor made for the constant American mile racing where he will further add to his $133,000 bank balance. To see the NZB Standardbred Weanling catalogue click here  View the full article
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