Godolphin‘s undefeated Good Cheer (Medaglia d’Oro) puts her perfect seven-for-seven record on the line in Friday’s GI DK Horse Acorn S. at the Belmont Stakes Racing Festival at Saratoga Race Course.
The Kentucky Oaks heroine headlines a field of seven in the Acorn, one of six graded stakes races on Friday’s 14-race program that features three additional Grade I events.
Good Cheer, the 1-2 morning-line favorite, has already captured this year’s GII Fasig-Tipton Rachel Alexandra S. and GII Fasig-Tipton Fair Grounds Oaks. She’ll face ‘TDN Rising Star’ Shred the Gnar (Into Mischief), who makes her stakes debut following two impressive victories.
“We’re just enjoying the ride and she’s a special filly,” said Godolphin USA’s Director of Bloodstock Michael Banahan. “The longer they stay undefeated, a little more pressure comes on to keep that streak going.”
Trainer Brad Cox was equally effusive. “Someone asked me one word to describe her, and it’s real easy—it’s class.”
Recent Kentucky Oaks winners who have doubled up in the Acorn include Bird Town (2003), Abel Tasman (2017), Monomoy Girl (2018), Pretty Mischievous (2023) and Thorpedo Anna (2024).
The GI Ogden Phipps S., a ‘Win and You’re In’ for the GI Breeders’ Cup Distaff at Del Mar, has attracted a field of seven led by last year’s GI Personal Ensign S. winner Raging Sea (Curlin). The 5-year-old launched her 2024 campaign with a victory in the GI Fasig-Tipton La Troienne S. on Kentucky Oaks Day.
Trainer Chad Brown will saddle defending Phipps winner Randomized (Nyquist), who held on to defeat champion Idiomatic (Curlin) by a head in wire-to-wire fashion last year.
She Feels Pretty (Karakontie {Jpn}) headlines the GI New York S., where she’s been installed as the 3-5 morning-line favorite against seven rivals. Trained by Cherie DeVaux, she enters on a three-race winning streak that includes the GI Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup S., GI American Oaks, and GIII Modesty S.
The GI Just a Game S. features a wide-open field of 11, including a rematch of the GI Jenny Wiley S. top three finishers—Choisya (GB), Excellent Truth (Ire), and Kehoe Beach. Excellent Truth, who encountered significant trouble when finishing second in her U.S. debut, has been established as the 5-2 morning-line favorite.
‘TDN Rising Star’ Ways and Means (Practical Joke), last year’s GI Test S. winner, is favored in the GII Bed o’ Roses S.
Friday’s card also includes the GII Belmont Gold Cup, contested at two miles on the inner turf course.
The weather forecast for upstate New York remains uncertain, with rain expected over the next few days.
America’s Day at the Races will present daily coverage and analysis of the Belmont Stakes Racing Festival on the networks of FOX Sports.
