The feature event at Belmont Park on the last Saturday in June is the $400,000 Suburban Handicap (G1). A field of eight older horses contested this 1 1/4 mile trip on the main track, with Dubai World Cup 4th place finisher A.P. Arrow sent off as the 5-4 favorite over 4-1 Rising Moon and two others at 5-1, Harlington and Solar Flare. Just 6,184 were on hand on a warm afternoon with temperatures in the high 80's.
A 3-horse battle for the lead ensued right from the start, as Naughty New Yorker on the inside, Solar Flare in the center, and Frost Giant on the outside, exchanged the lead amongst themselves through fractions of 24.30, 48.55, and 1:12.03. Naughty New Yorker tired badly after 6 1/2 furlongs, as Solar Flare led the field at the top of the lane, getting a mile in 1:36.31. Solar Flare pulled ahead by 1/2 a length in mid-stretch, but Frost Giant fought back late, pulling ahead to a 1/2 length win in 2:01.58 over the fast main track. It was another 3 lengths back to Rising Moon third. Favorite A.P. Arrow was never in contention and showed no rally, finishing a disappointing sixth.
