Siskany is favored to repeat in the Belmont Gold Cup

With long pedigrees and greater marathon experience, European-trained horses have dominated the two-mile Belmont Gold Cup (G2T) since 2017. Last year, Godolphin’s Siskany is the latest to achieve success, scoring two points ahead of the US-trained but Irish-bred player Gray Witch at the traditional home of racing, Belmont Park.

It is therefore no surprise that the Charlie Appleby-trained gelding is favored to repeat in the $250,000 race on June 6, this time at Saratoga Race Course on the first day of the four-day Belmont Stakes Festival was moved due to ongoing construction at Belmont.

Placed on the 12th outside of the green, he was pegged at even money on the morning line. Two horses were entered to race on the main track if rain forced travel on the dirt track—a situation most track operators sought to avoid by placing graded stakes.

Rain is forecast to begin June 5 and continue through Thursday. If the course is wet but not swampy, Siskany seems capable of handling it. He won races from firm to lightweight in his 24-race career. He is a 10-time winner.

6 year old boy from the house Dubai wintered in Dubai, where he ran a pair of 1 3/4-mile events with Buick on board for good performance at Meydan Racecourse. Most recently, he finished fourth in the two-mile Dubai Gold Cup (G2T) on March 30 at Meydan.

“He’s in good form and hopefully he can do it again,” Appleby said of repeating in the Belmont Gold Cup.

Regular racer William Buick will join Siskany, who will race with cheek pieces.

Gray Wizard chased Siskany through the lane in this race last year under the direction of Hall of Famer John Velazquez. Gray Wizard carried 118 pounds on Saturday, four pounds less than Siskany. Last year, he weighed two pounds less than Siskany.

SISKANY leads to win the Belmont Gold Cup (G2) with William Buick replacing Charlie Appleby! #BelmontPark pic.twitter.com/Q29NvI6bhi

— Belmont Stakes (@BelmontStakes) June 9, 2023

After being unseated in two starts following the Belmont Gold Cup, The Gray Wizard finished third in the 1 1/2 mile Louisville Stakes (G3T) in his final start for trainer Graham Motion. Most of The Gray Wizard’s experience comes from solid or good turf.

Includes newly finished horses on graded vessels on soft or soft ground Too high , Really well And Pioneering spirit .