Across the Board with Andy Serling Episode 24: Belmont Stakes Racing Festival Recap with David Aragona

Mary Eddy

Douglas Scharbauer’s stakes-winning Texas homebred Closing Act will look to preserve her undefeated record for Hall of Fame trainer Steve Asmussen in Thursday’s Grade 3, $175,000 Schuylerville, a six-furlong sprint for juvenile fillies, at Saratoga Race Course.

Mary Eddy

Whisper Hill Farm’s homebred graded stakes-winner Charge It will stretch out in attempt of his second win of the year in Saturday’s Grade 2, $350,000 Suburban, a 10-furlong main track route for older horses, at Belmont Park.

Mary Eddy

August Dawn Farm’s undefeated New York-bred Maple Leaf Mel will look to double up on graded victories while maintaining an unblemished record in Saturday’s Grade 3, $175,000 Victory Ride, a 6 1/2-furlong sprint for sophomore fillies, at Belmont Park.

Ryan Martin

A wide open field of nine sophomore fillies will pursue Grade 1 glory in Saturday’s 45th running of the $500,000 Fasig-Tipton Belmont Oaks Invitational going 10 furlongs over the inner turf course at Belmont Park.

Keith McCalmont

European invaders The Foxes and Silver Knott take on formidable U.S.-based opponents Kalik and Webslinger in Saturday’s Grade 1, $750,000 Belmont Derby Invitational, a 1 1/4-mile inner turf test for 3-year-olds, at Belmont Park.

Ryan Martin

Highly consistent graded stakes winners Major Dude and Nagirroc will go head-to-head against six other sophomores in Friday’s ninth running of the Grade 3, $250,000 Manila at Belmont Park.