The 100th running of the Jockey Gold Cup will be held Saturday at Belmont Park. It is a Grade 1 Stakes Race, run on the main (dirt) track at a distance of a 1.25 miles. Total prize money for this contest is $750,000 dollars.
Given that this race made its debut in 1919, there have been many historic moments. Here are a few noteworthy ones:
Only one horse dared to face the great MAN O’ WAR in the 1920 edition. DAMASK finished 15 lengths behind the eventual Horse Of The Year.
The legendary KELSO won the JGC five straight times from 1960 through 1964.
The track record for the race belongs to 1997 winner SKIP AWAY who completed the circuit in 1:58.89. He would later go on to the win the Breeders Cup Classic.
Last year racing fans bet a whopping $13,370757 dollars on JGC day.
This years race appears to be a very competitive one, with an international field of eight (possible) entries. The winner of the event automatically gets a spot in the gate for the Breeders Cup Classic on November 3rd at Churchill Downs. Join the Daily Racing Blog on Friday, as we take a look at Saturdays race at Belmont Park and hope to figure out which pony will give us the best Value. So come on back.
