The 55,779 fans who braved the wet weather at Belmont Park on Saturday were also treated to some prestigious graded stakes on the undercard. The two stakes races contested on the turf were both Grade 1.
The last race before the Belmont is the $400,000 Woodford Reserve Manhattan Handicap (G1), with a field of 9 older horses going 1 1/4 miles over the inner turf course. Gio Ponti was sent off as the 7-5 favorite off a 5th place finish in the Dubai World Cup (G1) and winless since last year's Shadwell Turf Mile (G1). In to challenge him included 4-1 second choice Viscount Nelson, shipping in from Ireland where he won the Silver Stakes at the Curragh on June 3, and 9-2 third choice Prince Will I Am, fifth in the Woodford Reserve Turf Classic (G1) last out.
Mission Approved went to the lead first time past the stands and set slow fractions of 24.92, 51.47, 1:17.75, and 1:42.44 while as many as 2 lengths in front of Straight Story stalking him in second, while Gio Ponti sat at the back of the field. Entering the stretch, Mission Approved opened up a 2 length lead over Bim Bam, as Gio Ponti angled out to the center of the course for room. Mission Approved cruised under the line 1 1/4 lengths in front of Bim Bam, completing the trip in 2:06.32 on yielding turf. It was just a head back to late-running favorite Gio Ponti third.
Results chart
