The Breeders' Cup Challenge "Win and You're In" tour made its way to Belmont Park on Sunday, with four Grade 1 races on the card. Each winner is guaranteed a spot in the corresponding World Championship race to be run at Monmouth Park in less than 4 week's time. The highlight of the Sunday afternoon card was the $750,000 Jockey Club Gold Cup (G1) for 3-year-olds and older going 1 1/4 miles with the Breeders' Cup Classic Powered By Dodge as the goal. Lawyer Ron was sent off as the 7-10 favorite after sweeping both older-horse features at Saratoga, the Whitney and the Woodward. In to challenge him was 2-1 second choice Curlin, winner of the Preakness but third in the Haskell last time out, and making his first start against older horses.
Brother Bobby contested the early pace with Lawyer Ron to his outside down the backstretch through fractions of 24.46, 47.88, and 1:11.66 over the fast main track while Curlin sat in midpack fifth. On the far turn, Brother Bobby faded from contention as Lawyer Ron took over the lead at the 1/4 pole, getting the mile in 1:36.60. However, Albarado angled Curlin out 4 wide to pass tiring horses and was quickly closing the gap through the stretch. The pair hooked up with less than a furlong remaining. In the final strides, Curlin dug in to win by a neck in a time of 2:01.20. It was a long 4 lengths back to Political Force in third, and 6 more to the rest of the field.
Results chart
