Picks and plays for Virginia Gold Cup Day at Great Meadow

The Kentucky Derby (G1) isn’t the only great race taking place on the first Saturday in May. Great Meadow is getting in on the action with an exciting afternoon of racing over fences highlighted by the $100,000 Virginia Gold Cup and the $100,000 David Semmes Memorial H. (G2).

TwinSpires is celebrating the occasion with the Virginia Gold Cup $10 Money Back promotion. Bettors who opt-in can receive refunds (up to $10) on win bets in races featuring five or more entries.

Planning to play along? We have you covered with picks and suggested wagers for the two feature events:

Race 4: David Semmes Memorial H. (G2)

A compact field of five will negotiate 2 1/8 miles over national fences in the David Semmes Memorial H., a $100,000 grass prize in which #3 Belfast Banter (8-5) is the morning line choice. The eight-year-old gelding ran second in this contest last year (albeit 54 lengths behind the winner) and subsequently hit the board in the Jonathan Sheppard H. (G1) and Grand National Hurdle (G1).

But we prefer the chances of #4 Going Country (9-5). True, Going Country finished 14 lengths behind Belfast Banter in the 2 1/2-mile Temple Gwathmey Hurdle H. (G2) on April 22, which marked the seasonal debut for both runners. But Going Country had the edge over Belfast Banter when they finished second and fourth in the above-mentioned Jonathan Sheppard.

Adding to the appeal of Going Country is the fact he’s previously run well at Great Meadow. In his final start of 2022, Going Country ran second in the 2 1/8-mile David L. (Zeke) Ferguson Memorial Hurdle H. (G2), beaten only 3 1/2 lengths by Grade 1 winner Down Royal.

Let’s place a $10 win bet on Going Country (to capitalize on the Virginia Gold Cup $10 Money Back promotion), then key him over Belfast Banter and the former British campaigner #5 Gordon’s Jet (6-1) in exacta and trifecta wagers:

• $10 to win on #4 Going Country
• $8 Exacta: 4 with 3
• $6 Exacta: 4 with 5
• $3 Trifecta: 4 with 3,5 with 3,5 ($6)
  Total: $30

Race 5: Virginia Gold Cup Timber S.

A four-mile test of speed, stamina, and dexterity over timber fences, the Virginia Gold Cup is not a race for the faint of heart. That’s why we’re going to back #2 Andi’amu (6-5), who has already proven he can handle this challenge.

Andi’amu’s 7-4-2-0 record at Great Meadow includes two victories in the Virginia Gold Cup. He scored by three lengths in 2019, then reclaimed top honors in 2022 by an impressive 23 lengths.

Andi’amu wrapped up 2022 with blowout victories in the Genesee Valley Hunt Cup Timber S. and the International Gold Cup Timber S., with the latter victory coming at Great Meadow. The 13-year-old gelding remains in strong form, kicking off 2023 with a game triumph in the Middleburg Hunt Cup S., setting the stage for a third victory in the Virginia Gold Cup.

For second place, we’ll try #5 Tomgarrow (2-1), runner-up in the 2021 Virginia Gold Cup and victorious in four of his last five starts. #4 Mystic Strike (4-1) and #3 Cracker Factory (6-1) can battle to complete the trifecta.

• $15 Trifecta: 2 with 5 with 3,4 ($30)

Good luck!