New York, New York – the home of the Belmont Stakes and the Third Jewel of the Triple Crown! After a few days of the apocalypse shuddered New York, we are back with racing this Saturday for a stacked card of some of the greatest and most historic races, along side championship horses. Let’s take a look at the races and my selections for Belmont Stakes Day:

Race 3 | True North | G2 | 6.5 Furlongs Dirt | $250,000 | 4UP
(1) Today’s Flavor | (5) Strobe | (6) Elite Power

While the Riyadh Dirt Sprint winner may be tough to beat first out of his Saudi win, the layoff and trip may get the best of him. I’ll go with the strong early speed of Today’s Flavor with Manny Franco aboard; he has shown up time and time again, loves getting to the lead first, and has the style to go gate-to-wire. Strobe and Elite Power will be underneath.

Race 5 | Poker | G3 | 1 Mile Turf | $200,000 | 4UP
(1) Chez Pierre | (2) Emaraaty | (7) Filo Di Arianna

The Maker’s Mark Mile winner from France, the aptly named Chez Pierre, is much the best in this group. Really hard to see how this gelding loses with Flavien Prat aboard in this one. Emaraaty is a tough and hard trier making the first off a long layoff, which is usually pretty good for him, while Filo Di Arianna has the resume to excel in this spot second off the layoff.

Race 6 | Brooklyn | G2 | 1 1/2 Miles Dirt | $250,000 | 4UP
(5) Next | (2) Red Run | (1) Portos

Next is an outstanding marathoner that has found his niche. Should really excel in this spot at Belmont Park against many returning foes from last time. If he grabs the lead early, he will put this field away. Red Run came out of the same race and just missed the win – looked to be much better than winner but had a tough trip, while Portos should get back into form with Tom Morley.

Race 7 | Ogden Phipps | G1 | 1 1/16 Miles Dirt | $500,000 | 4UP FM
(4) Secret Oath | (1) Pass The Champagne | (2) Search Results

What a showdown between Secret Oath and Search Results! The daughter of Arrogate for D. Wayne Lukas looks to take this against a very tough field, but she will look to rebound going her preferred one turn. She is a tough horse and should be able to close out and catch Search Results or Played Hard late. Pass The Champagne is a nice price horse that you need to watch out for – she was impressive last out in the Ruffian.

Race 8 | Woody Stephens | G1 | 7 Furlongs Dirt | $400,000 | 3YO
(4) General Jim | (13) Drew’s Gold | (3) Arabian Lion

The Pat Day Mile winner, General Jim, looks to complete the double, and has the right running style to do it. Closers excel in the Woody Stephens usually but will have to content with a tough Baffert runner in Arabian Lion. Drew’s Gold is improving and has a very live chance to steal.

Race 9 | Jaipur | G1 | 6 Furlongs Turf | $400,000 | 3UP
(12) Caravel | (2) Go Bears Go | (1) Yes And Yes

Caravel is the best turf sprinter in the country. She has been dominant for so long and continues to get better. She doesn’t seem to be looking back at all. This is the type of spot that she should relish – a track that loves her running style. The lock of the day.

Race 10 | Metropolitan Handicap | G1 | 1 Mile Dirt | $1,000,000 | 3UP
(1) Cody’s Wish | (3) Dr. Schivel | (6) Zandon

Cody’s Wish is the one to beat here – has been dominant the last year, and is tough around one turn. If there is even an ounce of speed, he will be able to close well and should blow past down the stretch. Dr. Schivel will be the one to catch, though. He may be better than Cody’s Wish, though hard to say right now – lots of talent and he is finally back to the races and looks to be right. Could be a dominant force in the one-turn division. Meanwhile Zandon is dangerous to sneak a win if thinks fall apart.

Race 11 | Manhattan | G1 | 1 1/4 Miles Turf | $750,000 | 4UP
(4) Ottoman Fleet | (5) Soldier Rising | (10) Highest Honors

Charlie Appleby doesn’t lose when he sends horses to the states, and the Fort Marcy winner Ottoman Fleet joins his winning contingent. He easily won clear last out and looks to continue that in this Belmont invasion – has a lot of class and toughness to win and should be placed well for the most part. Soldier Rising was solid in the Man O’ War, just coming up short, but shouldn’t be doubted in this spot for Christophe Clement, while Highest Honors should recover footing moving back to Belmont Park.

Race 12 | Belmont Stakes | G1 | 1 1/2 Miles Dirt | $1,500,000 | 3YO
(8) Angel Of Empire | (1) Tapit Shoes | (3) Arcangelo

Angel Of Empire has the pedigree, running style, and skill to crush this field. The Belmont is the perfect race for him, and he seems to be the type that can run all day long. Getting blinkers here should help him stay forwardly placed and take this race all the way. Tapit Shoes is the other for Brad Cox, and ran very well in the Bath House Row last out; really improving and should relish this distance. Meanwhile don’t sleep on the Peter Pan winner Arcangelo, who was dangerous las tout and looks to fit well with this group – only can go up from here!