Japanese superstar Forever Young makes his return in the Jockey Club Gold Cup at the newly-renovated Belmont Park.
The New York track has been out of action for two years due to reconstruction and is back with a bang; hosting the 1m2f Group 1 where £444,445 will go to the winner.
Boasting a roll of honour that includes the likes of War Admiral, Man o' War and Sword Dancer, this race has a long history of producing a star-studded victor.
We take a look at some of the main contenders set to go to post on Friday night...
There is a sell-out crowd heading to the re-opening of Belmont Park, and what a treat they are in for as Forever Young returns to the track after a six month layoff.
The son of Real Steel has now accumulated more than £24,000,000 in prize money, by virtue of winning some of the most lucrative prizes across the globe. £15m of his earnings come from his brace of Saudi Cup wins and he split those victories with the not-so-small matter of taking out the Breeders' Cup Classic.
It didn't exactly go to plan for him when finishing runner-up to Magnitude in the Dubai World Cup when last seen but even a repeat of that performance will likely be enough to win this.
Last year's race was marred by controversy when Phileas Fogg was unceremoniously disqualified for causing Irad Ortiz Jr to part company with his mount Mindframe, but he is back and looks as if he is the most likely challenger to the favourite.
His 10-length battering of a decent Suburban Stakes field in July was clearly an upgrade on anything he has produced before and has it in him to be a real danger at this trip.
Connections of four-year-old Baeza will be hoping that his low mileage means that he is still improving while his older rivals start to plateau. If you take Forever Young's Dubai World Cup form literally, then there wouldn't be a whole lot between him and Baeza on a straight line through Magnitude; race fitness could be key to his chances.
Jockey Club Gold Cup confirmed runners
- Baeza
- Stars And Stripes
- Phileas Fogg
- Render Judgement
- Forever Young
Jockey Club Gold Cup betting odds
(Odds will display when market is available)
Any odds displayed were correct at the time of writing and are subject to fluctuation.
