Phileas Fogg, a dual graded stakes winner owned by Jupiter Stable, is set to return from a brief break in the Grade 1, $1 million Jockey Club Gold Cup on Friday, September 18, at the newly renovated Belmont Park. This event marks the culmination of a three-year effort to transform Belmont Park into a premier sports and entertainment venue, with the New York Racing Association (NYRA) celebrating the occasion by hosting a live racing card centered around the 10-furlong race for 3-year-olds and older. The race also offers a “Win and You’re In” spot for the prestigious Breeders’ Cup Classic at Keeneland in October.
FOX will broadcast the Jockey Club Gold Cup live from 3 to 4:30 p.m. Eastern on September 18 as part of its “Belmont Park: Return to Racing” coverage. Trained by Gustavo Rodriguez, the 6-year-old son of Astern last captured the Grade 2 Suburban Stakes on July 4 at Saratoga with a commanding 10-length win, earning a career-best 114 Beyer Speed Figure under jockey Kendrick Carmouche. Rodriguez confirmed that Phileas Fogg is in good form after a recent workout at Belmont, where he covered five furlongs in 1:00.45, impressing both trainer and rider.
Initially considered for the Grade 1 Whitney Stakes on August 8, Phileas Fogg was instead targeted for the longer 10-furlong Jockey Club Gold Cup to suit his preference for the mile-and-a-quarter distance and to allow more recovery time between races. Purchased for $62,500 in July 2024 at Saratoga, the gelding has since thrived under Rodriguez’s guidance, securing multiple stakes victories and consistently placing in 11 of 13 starts.
Entries for the Jockey Club Gold Cup will be finalized on September 12, with notable potential contenders including the internationally acclaimed Japanese horse Forever Young; Sovereignty, the 2025 Horse of the Year currently dealing with a foot abscess; Eclipse Award-winning filly Nitrogen; Godolphin Mile winner Banishing; dual graded stakes winner Willy D’s; and multiple graded stakes-placed Yo Daddy. Forever Young recently completed quarantine and trained lightly on the Belmont main track, while Shin Emperor, who traveled with Forever Young from Japan, will skip the Joe Hirsch Turf Classic on September 26.
Unfortunately, Gary and Mary West’s Money Game, trained by Brad Cox, suffered a leg injury during a Saratoga workout and will miss the Jockey Club Gold Cup. Meanwhile, Cox provided an update on Fionn, a Twirling Candy filly preparing for the Grade 2 Flower Bowl Stakes at Belmont—a Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Turf qualifier. After a solid workout and recovery from a recent race, Fionn is a strong candidate for the upcoming event.
Belmont Park’s transformation signals a new chapter for racing in New York, offering world-class facilities and high-profile events that promise to attract national attention and elevate the sport’s profile.
For more details on the new Belmont Park, visit NewBelmont.com.
Fan Take: This news is highly significant for horse racing enthusiasts because it highlights the much-anticipated return of a star like Phileas Fogg to a freshly revitalized Belmont Park, signaling renewed excitement and prestige for the sport. The upgraded venue and top-tier racing card could draw larger audiences and boost the sport’s profile, ensuring that horse racing remains a thrilling and celebrated American tradition.
Source: sports.yahoo.com
