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​NYRA Triple Play to feature a trio of turf races from Belmont Park

by Keith McCalmont

The New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) will offer a NYRA Triple Play wager on Sunday featuring a trio of turf races at Belmont Park, including the $150,000 NYSSS Cupecoy’s Joy and the $150,000 NYSSS Spectacular Bid.

The NYRA Triple Play, a Pick 3 wager with a $3 bet minimum available exclusively to retail customers, has a takeout rate of 19 percent. Initially offered as the final three races on the Sunday card, the NYRA Triple Play will now feature three specially selected races.

Sunday’s sequence kicks off in Race 4 at 2:34 p.m. Eastern with the return of stakes-winner Dakota Gold in the $150,000 NYSSS Spectacular Bid, a seven-furlong Widener turf sprint for eligible New York-sired sophomores. Trained by Danny Gargan, the Freud chestnut graduated in an off-the-turf maiden special weight in September at Saratoga Race Course and followed with a 2 1/2-length score in the Nownownow three weeks later at Monmouth Park. 

Dakota Gold completed his campaign with a close fifth-place finish in the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf, defeated just 2 1/4-lengths by Modern Games. He will be challenged by Marinara Sauced, who rallied from last-of-10 to get the winner’s slice of a seven-furlong state-bred maiden tilt on May 21; and Surprise Boss, who is undefeated in his three turf starts.

The second leg [Race 7, 4:06 p.m.] will feature a nine-furlong state-bred optional-claiming event to be contested over the inner turf. The 11-horse field is led by the Graham Motion-trained Chulainn, who will stretch out from an even fourth in his seasonal debut on May 15 in a seven-furlong turf sprint at Belmont. Should a strong pace develop from prominent types Bar Fourteen, Ruse and Saratoga Flash, the Chad Brown-trained Grape Nuts Warrior could be dangerous late.

Closing out the sequence is the $150,000 NYSSS Cupecoy’s Joy [Race 9, 5:12 p.m.], a seven-furlong Widener turf sprint for eligible New York-sired sophomore fillies which attracted a talented field of 11 and one main-track only entrant. Galaxina, who makes her turf debut for trainer Jimmy Bond, posted a 24-1 upset last out in the NYSSS Park Avenue sprinting 6 1/2-furlongs at Aqueduct Racetrack. 

Fellow dirt stakes winner Morning Matcha, a Central Banker bay trained by Butch Reid, Jr., will turn back significantly from her last-out sixth in the nine-furlong Grade 2 Black-Eyed Susan as she looks to score in her turf debut. Silken Dollar garnered a 68 Beyer Speed Figure for a 14-1 upset maiden turf win sprinting seven furlongs on May 30 at Belmont. Also certain to attract attention is Robyn and Eli, a maiden from the barn of trainer Chad Brown, who has finished second in both career starts.

Featuring a $3 bet minimum, the NYRA Triple Play will cover three races on Sunday cards throughout the 44-day Belmont spring/summer meet. Each NYRA Triple Play will feature a mandatory payout of the net pool. Wagering on the NYRA Triple Play will be available on ADW platforms and at simulcast facilities across the country.

America’s Day at the Races will present daily coverage and analysis of the spring/summer meet at Belmont Park on the networks of FOX Sports. For the complete broadcast schedule, visit https://www.nyra.com/belmont/racing/tv-schedule.

NYRA Bets is the official wagering platform of Belmont Park, and the best way to bet every race of the spring/summer meet. Available to horse players nationwide, the NYRA Bets app is available for download today on iOS and Android at www.NYRABets.com. 

NYRA Triple Play, Sunday, June 19:

Leg A: Belmont Park, Race 4, NYSSS Spectacular Bid (2:34 p.m.)

Leg B: Belmont Park, Race 7, optional-claimer (4:06 p.m.)

Leg C: Belmont Park, Race 9, NYSSS Cupecoy’s Joy (5:12 p.m.)