In The Money Telegraph
Saturday, September 19, 2026 · By ITM Staff
Forever Young Christens the New Belmont
The rebuilt Belmont Park opened Friday to a sold-out crowd, and the Japanese superstar Forever Young gave the 6,000 on hand exactly what they came for — a commanding 3¼-length score in the $1 million Jockey Club Gold Cup, punching his ticket to the Breeders’ Cup Classic. Ryusei Sakai tracked the lone speed of Phileas Fogg and pounced on the far turn, and the reigning Classic champion drew clear in 2:01.23. Trainer Bill Mott ran second and third with Stars and Stripes and Baeza.
Tellingly, the Forever Young camp wasn’t entirely satisfied — trainer Yoshito Yahagi rated him roughly “80% fit” and said he was “only 50% satisfied” with the performance, pointing squarely to a sharper effort in the Classic at Keeneland on October 31. That fits his pattern: a controlled return, then a step up second time out. The one absence was Sovereignty — the reigning Horse of the Year sat it out with a foot abscess — which sets up a possible showdown at the Breeders’ Cup instead. PTF and JK have Belmont’s opening-weekend racing covered; watch their Saturday card show below.
Around the Cards
Churchill Downs. A twilight card with a $1,000 BCBC qualifier running on TwinSpires. Mikee P and Chris Cupples go through the spot plays. Watch the Churchill preview →
Monmouth at the Meadowlands. Night two of the Meadowlands turf meet, six races, 7:00 p.m. ET. Eric Solomon has it. Solomon’s card →
Los Alamitos. Dean Keppler makes The Gypsy Cowboy his best bet in Race 4, where an $11,787 Pick Six carryover begins. Keppler’s card →
Laurel Park. Will Humphrey has top picks and trip notes across a card topped by the Weather Vane Stakes. Humphrey’s tips & trips →
Parx. Pennsylvania Derby and Cotillion Day brings a pair of Grade 1s to Bensalem, headed by Further Ado in the Derby and Always a Runner in the Cotillion.
UK & Ireland. A quieter weekend across the water, with Ayr’s big-field sprint handicaps the focus. Steven Bonnick previews it all. Bonnick’s preview →
ITM Plus
The Road to Keeneland
Two Grade 1s at Parx, a new Belmont up and running, and Forever Young already booked for the Classic — the Breeders’ Cup picture sharpens by the week. ITM Plus members get daily written selections, the members’ bet share, exclusive shows, and full coverage all the way to Keeneland.
More all weekend at inthemoneypodcast.com and on the ITM YouTube channel, with premium coverage on ITM Plus.
