Forever Young to Headline Jockey Club Gold Cup at Reopened Belmont Park

Japanese superstar Forever Young drew the outside post seven for Friday’s $1 million Jockey Club Gold Cup Stakes (G1), anchoring the historic opening day card at the newly rebuilt Belmont Park in Elmont, New York.

The racing world turns its eyes toward Elmont on September 18 as the New York Racing Association officially reopens Belmont Park following a massive three-year transformation. While the sprawling glass-enclosed grandstand of the 1960s era has given way to a sleek, modern facility, the sporting spectacle on opening day matches any chapter in the historic track’s legacy. At the center of the nine-race slate stands the 108th running of the Jockey Club Gold Cup, a 10-furlong test that doubles as a Win and You’re In qualifier for the $7 million Breeders’ Cup Classic.

International Star Power and Final Preparations on the Tapeta

Trainer Yoshito Yahagi shipped the reigning Japanese Horse of the Year across the Pacific to headline the $1 million GI Jockey Club Gold Cup. The 5-year-old son of Real Steel boasts 11 wins from 15 career starts and career earnings totaling $31.7 million. His resume features a dramatic half-length victory over Sierra Leone in the previous year’s Breeders’ Cup Classic, a performance that secured him an Eclipse Award as champion older dirt male.

Photo: Thoroughbred Daily News

On Tuesday morning, Forever Young put the final touches on his preparation by breezing five-eighths over the Belmont main track in 1:02.17 under regular rider Ryusei Sakai. Traveling through the tunnel from the barn area, the bay horse warmed up over the facility’s Tapeta training track in company with Shin Emperor before stepping onto the main circuit.

Photo: DRF

“He enjoyed the track and handled it well. It seems like he’s very happy to run here, so I’m quite happy for that.”

Ryusei Sakai, jockey, via Past The Wire

Hiroshi Ando, racing manager for owner Susumu Fujita, noted that the team specifically wanted a strong finishing blow-out since the champion has not raced in 5 1/2 months. His last appearance resulted in a strong second-place finish behind Magnitude in the Group 1 Dubai World Cup on March 28 at Meydan Racecourse. This Friday test serves as both a prep for the upcoming Breeders’ Cup Classic at Keeneland and a diplomatic mission for the stable.

“Through these two races, the Jockey Club Gold Cup and the Breeders’ Cup Classic at Keeneland, I hope to contribute to the further development of American horse racing.”

Yoshito Yahagi, trainer, via BloodHorse

Late Scratches Thin the Field and Boost the Favorite’s Odds

Originally slated as a massive showdown, the race dynamics shifted dramatically when two potential pace factors withdrew from the contest. Both Banishing and Chunk of Gold scratched from the engagement, with their connections opting instead to point toward the Grade 2, $500,000 Lukas Classic at Churchill Downs on September 26.

“Why run against the second-best horse in our lifetime? Secretariat’s the best and he’s got to be right in behind him.”

Photo: BloodHorse

David Jacobson, trainer, via Daily Racing Form

Meanwhile, Ethan West confirmed that Chunk of Gold withdrew due to logistical hurdles that prevented a smooth journey to New York. The dual defections leave Forever Young an even shorter price than his initial 3-5 morning-line odds. The remaining group shrinks to a compact field, leaving Phileas Fogg as the clear early speed threat.

Trained by Gustavo Rodriguez, Phileas Fogg arrives in New York following a stellar 10-length front-running victory in the Grade 2 Suburban Stakes at Saratoga Race Course. Trainer Bill Mott saddles a formidable pair in C R K Stable’s Baeza, a Grade 1 winner looking to overcome persistent gate issues, and stablemate Stars and Stripes, who captured the Birdstone Stakes by a nose.

Broadcasting Details and What Comes Next

With a post time scheduled for approximately 4:15 p.m. Eastern, the Jockey Club Gold Cup goes down as Race 5 on the opening day program. For fans unable to witness the historic reopening on-track, FOX will provide live national coverage during a 90-minute telecast starting at 3:00 p.m. Eastern.

A victory on Friday secures an automatic, fees-paid berth into the $7 million Breeders’ Cup Classic on October 31 at Keeneland. Beyond the immediate autumn championships, the successful debut of international stables training over the new Belmont surface carries long-term weight. NYRA officials secured the 2027 Breeders’ Cup World Championships for Belmont Park, marking the first time the prestigious event returns to New York State since 2005. If international visitors continue to find the new Tapeta and main tracks accommodating, Friday’s card may serve as the opening act for a globalized era of New York racing.