How to bet the Belmont Super Saturday stakes

Imperial Hint wins the Alfred G. Vanderbilt Stakes (G1) at Saratoga (c) NYRA/Elsa Lorieul/Adam Coglianese Photography

by Scott Shapiro

A trio of “Win & You’re In” Breeders’ Cup races headline an 11-race card at Belmont Park on Super Saturday afternoon.

The stakes action commences at approximately 4:09 p.m. (ET) with the Vosburgh Stakes (G1) and is followed by the Joe Hirsch Turf Classic (G1). The $750,000 Jockey Club Gold Cup (G1) concludes the graded action. Here are my thoughts:

RACE 7: Vosburgh

A spot in the Breeders’ Cup Sprint (G1) is at stake in this six-furlong dash over Belmont’s main track.

IMPERIAL HINT (#6) is the 1-5 morning-line favorite off a 3 3/4-length romp in the Alfred G. Vanderbilt Handicap (G1) at Saratoga in late July. The son of Imperialism has been as consistent as they come, winning seven of his last nine for trainer Luis Carvajal Jr. and draws favorably towards the outside on Saturday. Look for Javier Castellano to stalk the early pace of STILL KRZ (#7) (15-1) and find his way to the winners’ circle for the 12th time in his career.

For those looking for a bit more “bang for their buck,” perhaps MR. CROW (#4) (5-1) is worth consideration. The Kra Stud Farm colt was off a step slow and lacked room along the inside in the Tale of the Cat Stakes on August 10 at the Spa before finishing a tough luck last in a field of five. If jockey Luis Saez can avoid trouble he should be good enough to pick up the pieces. Defeating Imperial Hint, though, will be a tough task.

RACE 8: Joe Hirsch Turf Classic

Eight turf routers compete for a berth in the Breeders’ Cup Turf (G1) in this $500,000 event at 1 1/2 miles over the sod.

ROBERT BRUCE (#1) is listed as the 2-1-morning-line chalk after a half-length win in the Arlington Million (G1) back in August. The Chilean-bred son of Fast Company took advantage of a positive race shape and ran on late to earn his eighth victory in 9 lifetime tries. The four-year-old colt is certainly a deserving favorite, but the stretch out to a mile and a half and a lack of early zip signed on makes taking a shot against him in this spot worthwhile.