10/07/06 @ Belmont
 

Been reading a lot of talk about how people are saving up for this day. Whats shakin their on October 7?

Thanks in advance...

oh yeah, how did it get the nickname "Big Sandy"?

Curt, on 10/7 we've got the

Joe Hirsch (Gr. 1) on the weeds as a prep for the Turf,
the JCGC (Gr. 1) - Invasor v. Bernardini,
the Flower Bowl (Gr. 1) as a F&M Turf prep,
the Beldame (Gr. 1) - Belmonts premier Distaff prep,
AND the Vosburgh (Gr. 1) for the Sprint.

5 Grade 1's on one card!!! Freaking awesome!!!!!

Its every bit as good as the BC. Wish it was this weekend instead of 5 weeks away :eek:

It is just at Belmont. It is Belmont, Keeneland and Santa Anita. Those three tracks are hosting several Grade I's II's and III's. Most of the horses that are going to the BC are using that day as a prep day for the BC.

Here is the schedule:
Belmont Park: The Jockey Club Gold Cup (gr. I), $750,000g, 3&up, 10f .

Beldame (gr. I), $600,000g, 3&up, f/m, 9f .

Flower Bowl Invitational (gr. I), $600,000g, 3&up, f/m, 10f (turf).

Joe Hirsch Turf Classic Invitational (gr. I), $600,000g, 3&up, 12f (turf).

Vosburgh S (gr. I), $400,000g, 3&up, 6f .


Keeneland: Shadwell Turf Mile (gr. I), $600,000g, 3&up, 8f (turf).

Lane's End Breeders' Futurity (gr. I), $500,000g, 2yo, 8.5f .

Phoenix Breeders' Cup (gr. III), $150,000a, $100,000 Breeders' Cup Fund, 3&up, 6f


Santa Anita: Goodwood Breeders' Cup H (gr. II), $400,000g, $100,000 Breeders' Cup Fund, 3&up, 9f .

Ancient Title Breeders' Cup S (gr. I), $200,000g, $50,000 Breeders' Cup Fund, 3&up, 6f .

Oak Tree Breeders' Cup Mile (gr. II), $200,000g, $50,000 Breeders' Cup Fund, 3&up, 8f (turf).

gracious Dustin

yo your boys are hurtin tomorrow night hey? Big Ben is not a lucky man right now. Be honest, after the way Miami finished last year (6 wins in a row) I think they might shock some people.

thanks everyone, time to save some cash and just say no to the windows for a while.

Curt, I'd be lying if I were to say that I'm not pretty worried about tomorrow night. Batch is an average QB and isnt the kind of guy that's gonna win a game for you, but he's generally not gonna throw 4 picks and lose it either. Hines should play but I dont think he's 100% so the offense will struggle here. The Fins have a great squad and I would not be at all surprised if they left Pittsburgh with the win. Saban has put together a great coaching staff (Mularkey, Capers) and Culpepper has a great target in Chambers with Ronnie Brown in the backfield. Defense is gonna need to come up big for the Steelers here...

Curt,
To answer your second question, it's called "Big Sandy" because that's what it is. A huge oval (1 1/2 mile) with the typical base of all of Long Island...sand.
If you've never seen it, make it a goal. It's a totally different world than Saratoga. Saratoga has a certain ambiance, intimacy. It's country in the summer for some of the top runners. My favorite place.
Belmont is big city....Big!
If you get a chance to roam around the backstretch there, it's like being on a huge horse farm that was dropped from a spaceship into the middle of one of the world's greatest cities. You'd love it.
The fall meet will be very nice.
DTS

actually belmont is far from the city. it is the best track in the country though, meaning the surface. most trainers prefer it to any track although that probably has a lot to do with the fact many live in garden city or nearby. belmont is like no other track in the world. the turf course is beautiful.

I love going to Belmont!!!! And October 7 is just before my birthday; what a great birthday trip. Beats last year, which I spent in the Hamptons and it rained all weekend (cold, wet AND boring). If it rains on Oct 7 I still have the races...

Of course I know that Belmont is outside the city. I know where Elmont is.
Just consider that I live in a place where there are miles of forests, miles of streams, and very few people. There are plenty of deer, trout, and horses.
When I go there, Belmont, it really is a different place from what I'm accustomed to.
Traffic lights? Crazy drivers? It's ALL "big city" to me.
Here's a pic from Barb Livingston. It says what I love about Belmont.

http://www.barbaralivingston.com/gal...track/Pink7106

I'll be there that day. Looking forward to it.

Should be good, Randall. Actually, it's a place where a "savy capper" can do something.
Watch for Mayo Post on Friday. Jim J needs a winner to bring his confidence up, and I've won with this one before.
Might be a tough one, but I think this one is worth an across.