<figcaption class="wp-caption-text" id="caption-attachment-249920">(AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)LEXINGTON, KY (June 5, 2019) – Gary Barber’s Preakness (G1) winner War of Will is one of five graduates of Keeneland sales among the 10 horses entered in the 151st running of the $1.5 million Belmont Presented by NYRA Bets (G1) to be run Saturday at Belmont Park.
Keeneland sales have produced 20 Belmont winners, including 2018 undefeated Triple Crown winner Justify. A total of eight of the past 13 Belmont winners are Keeneland sales graduates. Joining Justify are Creator (2016), Palace Malice (2013), Ruler On Ice (2011), Drosselmeyer (2010), Da’Tara (2008), Rags to Riches (2007) and Jazil (2006).
The 3-year-old colts who are graduates of Keeneland sales entered in the 2019 Belmont are:
Bourbon War (Tapit-My Conquestadory) – The Xpressbet Fountain of Youth (G2) runner-up is a graduate of two Keeneland sales. Lane’s End, agent, consigned the colt as a weanling to the 2016 November Breeding Stock Sale, where he sold for $410,000 to S. L. P. H. Hidden Brook, agent, offered him at the 2017 September Yearling Sale. Bred by Conquest Stables, Bourbon War is owned by Bourbon Lane Stable and Lake Star Stable. He will be ridden by Mike Smith for trainer Mark Hennig.
Everfast (Take Charge Indy-Awesome Surprise) – The Preakness runner-up sold to owner Calumet Farm as a yearling for $47,000 at the 2017 January Horses of All Ages Sale. Everfast, who was consigned to the sale by Frankfort Park Farm, agent, was bred by Extern Developments. Trained by Dale Romans, he will be ridden by Luis Saez.
Joevia (Shanghai Bobby-Peace Process) – Winner of Monmouth Park’s Long Branch Stakes in his last start, Joevia was offered as a weanling at the 2016 November Sale by Darby Dan Farm, agent. Michael Fazio and Jeff Fazio own the colt, who is trained by Greg Sacco and will be ridden by Jose Lezcano. Joevia was bred by Ikhana Farm.
Sir Winston (Awesome Again-La Gran Bailadora) – Bred and owned by Tracy Farmer, the Peter Pan (G2) runner-up was offered by Denali Stud, agent, at the 2017 September Sale. Mark Casse trains Sir Winston, who will be ridden by Joel Rosario.
War of Will (War Front-Visions of Clarity [IRE]) – Casse also trains War of Will, the 25th Keeneland sales graduate to win the Preakness. Bred by Flaxman Holdings Limited and consigned by Lane’s End, agent, to the 2017 September Sale, War of Will was an RNA to Sale. Tyler Gaffalione will ride the colt, who trained at Keeneland following his Preakness victory.
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Fans are invited to Red Mile for simulcast wagering on Belmont Park and other major North American race tracks. On Thursday-Saturday, the Belmont Stakes Racing Festival will include 18 stakes races, including eight Grade 1 races on Saturday.
Advance wagering for Saturday’s entire Belmont Day card is available at Red Mile beginning Thursday at 12:20 p.m. ET.
Belmont is offering a number of rich, multi-race wagers for Friday and Saturday. New is the Festival Pick 6, which features two stakes on Friday and four stakes on Saturday. The wager carries a 20-cent minimum and a mandatory payout.
On Saturday, when the first scheduled race is 11:35 a.m., the Belmont caps a $1.5-million Guaranteed Pick 4 that begins with the eighth race, a $500,000 Guaranteed Pick 5 that starts with the first race and a $500,000 Guaranteed Pick 6 that kicks off with race six.
The Belmont undercard includes the Grade 1 Acorn, Jaipur Invitational, Just a Game, Manhattan, Ogden Phipps, Runhappy Metropolitan and Woody Stephens Presented by Mohegan Sun.
Post time for the Belmont is 6:37 p.m.
Parking and admission at Red Mile are free.
Fans also have the option to wager online through KeenelandSelect.com.
