Scratches and New Track: Forever Young Heads Slimmed Field in Jockey Club Gold Cup

Key points

• Banishing and Chunk of Gold have withdrawn from the Jockey Club Gold Cup, leaving Forever Young as the dominant favorite with odds of 3-5.
• The race is the centerpiece of the opening day for the newly rebuilt $450 million Belmont Park, which features a new Tapeta synthetic track and a modern grandstand.
• Forever Young, the defending Breeders' Cup Classic winner, will face a field of five, including Phileas Fogg, the only remaining speed option.
• The Jockey Club Gold Cup offers a 'Win and You're In' berth for the $7 million Breeders' Cup Classic at Keeneland on October 31.
• Sovereignty, the reigning Horse of the Year, is sidelined by an abscess, leaving Bill Mott with two other runners in the field.

Background

The Jockey Club Gold Cup is a major Grade 1 stakes race that traditionally serves as a final preparation for the Breeders' Cup Classic. This year's edition is particularly significant as it marks the reopening of Belmont Park after a three-year, $450 million renovation. The new facility includes a mile-long Tapeta synthetic track and a modern grandstand, aiming to provide a higher-quality experience for racing fans. Forever Young, the reigning older male dirt champion, has been a top contender for the Breeders' Cup Classic, and his performance in the Gold Cup will be a key indicator of his form.

How outlets are covering it

Daily Racing Form emphasizes the impact of the scratches on Forever Young's odds, noting that the removal of Banishing and Chunk of Gold leaves Phileas Fogg as the only speed option. amNewYork focuses on the broader significance of the race as the opening event for the newly rebuilt Belmont Park, highlighting the track's modern amenities and the excitement surrounding its reopening. Thoroughbred Daily News provides a detailed breakdown of the field, noting the absence of Sovereignty due to an abscess and the post positions of the remaining runners. Horse Racing Nation suggests that Forever Young may be underlaid in the betting market, indicating confidence in his chances of winning.

Why it matters

The Jockey Club Gold Cup is a critical prep race for the Breeders' Cup Classic, one of the most prestigious events in horse racing. Forever Young's performance in this race will be a key indicator of his form and his chances of winning the Breeders' Cup Classic. The race also marks the reopening of Belmont Park, a historic venue that has undergone a major renovation, and its success will be a key indicator of the future of horse racing in New York.

What to watch

The Jockey Club Gold Cup will be run on Friday, September 18, at Belmont Park. The winner will earn a berth in the Breeders' Cup Classic at Keeneland on October 31. Forever Young is expected to be the favorite, but the race will be closely watched for any signs of fatigue or form issues.