The $250,000 Vosburgh Stakes funnels directly into the $2 million Qatar Racing Breeders’ Cup Sprint with a booked ticket handed to the winner. It’s simple: “Win and You’re In!”
For 3-year-olds and older, a Vosburgh victory proves that you can compete in one of the fastest shows on dirt. The likes of American Theorem, Jackie’s Warrior, and Kimari, are already slated to point to marquee World Championships sprint race in Lexington, Ky. Who will join them?
To get to Keeneland, the site of this year’s Breeders’ Cup, via New York you normally compete at beautiful Belmont Park for the Vosburgh. However, this year with tunnel construction underway at Belmont, the fall meet shifted to Ozone Park and Aqueduct Racetrack.
The “Big A” version of the Vosburgh Stakes boasts a field of just five runners, and they will be duking it out down the backstretch. There isn’t a ton of early speed signed on here, so it will be interesting to see who makes the lead, in an effort to hold on until the finish.
Expect that trainer Norm Cash’s Jalen Journey (#2), ridden by Dylan Davis, and David Duggan’s Drafted (#5) with Kendrick Carmouche aboard, might try to swipe it from the break. Both jockeys are aggressive, and they aren’t shy about proving that notion.
Duggan’s entry, in particular, is classy, having faced both Cody’s Wish and Jackie’s Warrior in the Grade 1 Forego Stakes at the end of August at Saratoga. A gelding by Field Commission, he is looking to get back to his winning ways.
Speaking of success at the finish line, if you are looking to back a runner that gets to the winner’s circle with regularity, then you could back Cash’s other play, the venerable Eastern Bay (#3). With 50 lifetime starts, this 8-year-old has 18 wins to his credit. The son of E Dubai does not have the class that some of his rivals do, so Javier Castellano is going to have to work his magic.
When it comes to a top choice, I am divided between Chad Brown’s Southern District (#1) and Bill Mott’s Elite Power (#4). Each appears inviting for different reasons. Brown’s barn is hot, and his 4-year-old colt by Union Rags does have a win on this track in February. That speed figure he posted was impressive. Stepping up into “non-graded” stakes company in the Tale of the Cat Stakes at Saratoga this summer did not go well, and he failed to menace, despite being the favorite. That last effort is concerning.
Therefore, I am much more interested in Elite Power, a Juddmonte-owned colt by Curlin from Mott’s barn. This is a 4-year-old bred by Alpha Delta Stables, and he comes to Aqueduct off three wins in a row. After five races at Churchill Downs, his last attempt at Saratoga in early September was an impressive display of breakaway speed when winning by 3½ lengths. If he can measure up to this Grade 2 class challenge, with Jose Lezcano aboard for the first time, then he has the capability to win the Vosburgh. Mott could be looking at yet another Breeders’ Cup hopeful.
Wagering Strategy on a $10 Budget
$10 to win on #4 ($10)
What to say at the betting window: Belmont at The Big A, Race 5, $10 to win on 4
Wagering Strategy on a $30 Budget
$20 to win on #4 ($20)
What to say at the betting window: Belmont at The Big A, Race 5, $20 to win on 4
$5 exacta box: 1,4 ($10)
What to say at the betting window: Belmont at The Big A, Race 5, $5 exacta box 1,4
Pick 4
1/2/5-3-9/13-4
1/2/5-3-9/13-4
$36
Pick 5
1-1/2/5-3-9/13-4
1-1/2/5-3-9/13-4
$239
Superfecta
4-3-5-1
4-3-5-1
$3
Pick 4
1/2/5-3-9/13-4
1/2/5-3-9/13-4
$36
Pick 5
1-1/2/5-3-9/13-4
1-1/2/5-3-9/13-4
$239
Superfecta
4-3-5-1
4-3-5-1
$3
