Saturday's Belmont Stakes is the last of nine top-level events on the weekend and the final of the six highly anticipated Grade I contests scheduled for a bumper card at Saratoga, short, medium and long on both the turf and the main track.A top-quality field of seven is set to face the starter in the GI Hill 'n' Dale Metropolitan Handicap, for which 'TDN Rising Star' presented by Nysos (Nyquist) is the 9-5 morning-line favorite and 126-pound topweight in the 'Win and You're In' qualifier for the GI Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile.Carrying the colors of Baoma Corp. and also owned by Mrs. John Magnier, Michael Tabor and Derrick Smith, the 5-year-old looks to become the third winner of the prestigious event for trainer Bob Baffert (Mor Spirit, 2017; National Treasure, 2024) and, barring any mishaps from gate one in the Wilson Chute, should take all the beating. The reigning Dirt Mile hero, Nysos exits a very game second to Forever Young (Jpn) (Real Steel {Jpn}) in the $20-million G1 Saudi Cup Feb. 14.“We know he's a really good horse,” Baffert said. “We're in it for the excitement and fun and to be part of a great weekend. If you can do it, it's an honor to win the Met Mile.”At the other end of the gate is GI Preakness Stakes and GI Haskell Stakes winner Journalism (Curlin), who returns to the site of his runner-up effort behind Sovereignty (Into Mischief) in last year's Belmont. Before dismissing the recent GII Oaklawn Handicap third as a horse that needs longer for his best, the bay–sold for $825,000 not far from here at Fasig-Tipton Saratoga in the summer of 2023–proved his mettle at this distance with an eye-catching maiden score at second asking in 2024 and has never been out of it at the stretch call of any of his races.Journalism crossing Union Avenue | Sarah Andrew“It is interesting to cut back to one mile. This is a race we've had on our radar for quite some time,” trainer Michael McCarthy said. “This is a stallion-making race; he's already made himself a stallion, but this would certainly add to his resume. He ran a very credible race last year in the Belmont here.”Elite-level scorers Antiquarian (Preservationist) and Saudi Crown (Always Dreaming) only add to the intrigue, while 'TDN Rising Star' Knightsbridge (Nyquist) will look to atone for his sixth to T O Elvis (Volatile) in the GI Churchill Downs Stakes on May 2.Deterministic Defends Title In ManhattanIt has been nearly four decades since Milesius posted consecutive victories in the GI Manhattan Stakes–now sponsored by Resorts World Casino–but 'TDN Rising Star' presented by Hagyard Deterministic (Liam's Map) has a chance to snap that streak Saturday afternoon.Winner of the GIII Gotham Stakes in 2024, the $625,000 Keeneland September grad has amassed an enviable record of 6-2-1 from nine spins on the grass, defeating Integration (Quality Road) in this event when run over nine furlongs last June before adding the one-mile GI Fourstardave Stakes during the main meet. He resumed with a bloodless success over Battle of Normandy (City of Light) in Aqueduct's GIII Fort Marcy Stakes May 2, but will require his best in what seems a tougher test than 12 months ago.“It is a great race, but he's doing as good as he could be,” said trainer Miguel Clement. “Knock on wood, but I'm very excited about this. He's a terrific horse. He was probably left a little undercooked for [the Fort Marcy]. He won based off pure grit and class. I think he has stepped forward since then, so this is just exciting.”Deterministic | Sarah AndrewNew York-bred Rhetorical (Not This Time) tries a trip this far for the first time in his career, having comfortably bested Make Me King (Fr) (Dark Angel {Ire}) in the GI Turf Classic at Churchill over a mile and one furlong May 2.“There are a lot of horses to respect in here,” Rhetorical's trainer Will Walden said. “This is a tough race, the Manhattan, a Grade I on a big day like this. We respect every horse in here. We will come up with our game plan, stick to what we know and go from there.”The legendary Andre Fabre has not run a horse in the U.S. since Harajuku (Ire) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) was third in the 2021 Jockey Club Oaks before remaining here with Graham Motion. Bright Picture (Fr) (Intello {Ger}) brings some compelling form into the Manhattan having faced some of the biggest names in international racing.Runner-up to Longines World's Best Racehorse Calandagan (Ire) (Gleneagles {Ire}) in French Group 3 company at three, the chestnut took out the G3 Prix Exbury and G2 Prix d'Harcourt in his first two runs this term ahead of an admirable second behind G1 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe hero Daryz (Fr) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) in ParisLongchamp's G1 Prix Ganay Apr. 26.“I'm very pleased with Bright Picture,” Fabre said. “He was only just beaten by Daryz and I'm happy with his preparation since.”Gavin Lerena jets in from South Africa to pilot One Stripe (SAf) (One World {SAf}), who he has ridden to two Grade 1 wins at home and whom he guided to a big second in the GI Pegasus World Cup turf this past January.Segesta Looks To Make Amends In Just a GameJuddmonte's Segesta (Ghostzapper) may not have relished easy underfoot conditions when only sixth in the 2025 GI Just a Game Stakes, but firmer footing looks likely this weekend as the homebred daughter of Antonoe (First Defence) aims for a third straight win at the highest level.Narrowly beaten into second in the GI First Lady Stakes last October, the dark bay had GI Jaipur Stakes entrant Ag Bullet (Twirling Candy, see below) back in third in the GI Matriarch Stakes at Del Mar Nov. 30 before taking a break. Favored at 3-2 for her return to action in Keeneland's GI Jenny Wiley Stakes going 8 1/2 furlongs, Segesta was joined on the line by Expensive Queen (Ire) (Lope de Vega {Ire}) and the return to a mile should suit here.“She was off a layoff and dead-heated for the win last time,” said trainer Chad Brown said. “She got a good run out of it, and she should move forward, fitness-wise. I didn't have her fully cranked.”Ironically, Antonoe provided Brown with the first of his eight Just a Game wins (all in the last nine years) in 2017.Calandagan and Daryz's trainer Francis Graffard sends his first horse to Saratoga in nine years in the form of His Highness The Aga Khan's Studs Mandanaba (Fr) (Ghaiyyath {Ire}). A close third in last year's G1 Poule d'Essai des Pouliches (French 1000 Guineas) at the mile and not beaten far when fourth in the 2100-meter G1 Prix de Diane (French Oaks), the bay makes the trans-Atlantic trip off a neck success in the Listed Prix Maurice Zilber over 1400 meters at ParisLongchamp Apr. 23.Mandanaba | Sarah Andrew“She's a filly who likes good, fast ground,” said Nemone Routh, director and French racing manager for The Aga Khan. “She normally breaks well and likes to be forward, enjoying a fast pace. We have always thought she was a good fit for American racing. In France, you tend to have to have a big acceleration, but she is one with more of a high cruising speed and can just keep going at that pace. She's a really game and genuine filly.”'Ag' Back With a 'Bullet' To Fire in JaipurThe connections of the outstanding distaff turf sprinter Ag Bullet (Twirling Candy) could have opted for the path of lesser resistance in Thursday's GII Intercontinental Stakes, but the fact that she lines up in defense of her crown against the males in the GI Jaipur Stakes is probably best analyzed as a high positive. The 5 1/2-furlong dash earns the winner a fees-paid berth into this year's GI Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint at Keeneland.Having accounted for next-out First Lady winner Simply in Front (Summer Front) when handling her fellow females in the GII Ladies' Turf Sprint at Kentucky Downs last August, the gray mare was a sound second to champion Shisospicy (Mitole) in the 2025 Turf Sprint and was last seen rounding out the triple in the Matriarch after she was led out unsold on a bid of $2.9 million at Fasig-Tipton November.“We're going to try it again,” trainer Richard Baltas said. “It's going to be a tough race, but she's tough and Johnny [Velazquez] will be back on her, so that's good. They're ready [to run] when they're ready, and she runs really well fresh. She's always ran good off the layoff, it's just a matter of getting her there. So far, so good. I think she's plenty fit enough with several five-eighths works.”That includes a bullet over the Santa Anita all-weather in :59 1/5 (1/17) May 30.Ag Bullet on her way to victory in the 2025 Jaipur | Sarah AndrewReef Runner (The Big Beast) spent a good portion of the winter in the warm climes of the Middle East and a profitable stay it was. His victory in the G2 1351 Turf Sprint in Saudi Arabia came at the expense of Lazzat (Fr) (Territories {Ire}), who then finished a close third in the G1 Al Quoz Sprint at the end of March, a neck better than Reef Runner. Lazzat has since won in French Group 3 company, while 1351 Turf Sprint third Comanche Brave (Ire) (Wootton Bassett {GB}) took out a Group 2 at The Curragh when last seen.“He's doing great, his works have been phenomenal, and everything about him is better,” trainer David Fawkes said of Reef Runner's development since last summer. “Obviously gelding him was a huge factor, and he turned around. He lost weight up in his neck and chest where these colts carry weight, and it really evened him out. He's nice and level, and he's more balanced.”My Boy Prince (Cairo Prince), runner-up here last year, has since won a pair of turf sprint stakes, including the GII Shakertown Stakes at Keeneland Apr. 4, and was a latest fourth, beaten a half-length for everything, in the May 2 GII Turf Sprint at Churchill Downs. Just behind him that day was Litigation (Twirling Candy), who gives his sire a potent 1-2 punch here.Wall-To-Wall Talent In WoodyFields don't get much deeper than the one assembled for Saturday's GI Woody Stephens Stakes, with no fewer than four 'TDN Rising Stars' presented by Hagyard set to square off and live chances beyond that quartet.The seven-furlong heat features a rematch from the GII Pat Day Mile on the Derby undercard May 2, where Crude Velocity (Beau Liam) won what was more or less a war of attrition over the re-opposing Englishman (Maxfield). The latter did the donkey work that day, setting searching fractions of :44.20 for the half-mile and 1:08.13 for the opening six furlongs. Englishman felt the pinch of those early exertions and gave way through the final furlong to be second as Crude Velocity ran his record to a perfect three-from-three.After toying with the idea of a quick turnaround for the GI Preakness Stakes, trainer Bob Baffert settled on the Woody Stephens, a race he's won three times previously (Bayern, American Anthem, Arabian Lion).Crude Velocity | Sarah Andrew“We felt pretty good about him going into the Pat Day. His two prior races were pretty spectacular,” Baffert said. “Englishman, I have a lot of respect for him. To run him down, that was pretty impressive. Those are two good horses. It should be a great race.”If there is to be an upsetter, it could come from the sophomores drawn gates one and two. 'Rising Star' Gilded Bandit (Charlatan) flat outgamed Deep Flame (Into Mischief) to break his maiden going 6 1/2 furlongs at Keeneland Apr. 4 with blinkers added for the first time and the colt–who has been working with fellow 'Rising Star' Chief Wallabee (Constitution)–overcame a torrid trip to add a first-level Churchill allowance in the race immediately following the Derby May 2. Deep Flame has since graduated by seven lengths (95 Beyer) beneath the Twin Spires May 17.'Rising Star' Obliteration (Violence) was a very good second in the one-mile G3 Saudi Derby in Riyadh Feb. 14 and returned to action with an eye-catching, 3 1/2-length victory in the May 16 Chick Lang Stakes at Laurel.Solitude Dude (Yaupon) is unbeaten at sprint distances, including a handy score in the Apr. 18 Bay Shore Stakes downstate, while G3 UAE 2000 Guineas romper Six Speed (Not This Time) should appreciate this shorter distance, having retreated after making the running in the Derby.Book'em Danno, Bentornato Clash In True NorthNominally a Grade III contest, Saturday's True North Stakes has lured a Grade I quality bunch which is led by its defending champion and reigning Eclipse Award-winning sprinter Book'em Danno (Bucchero).The New Jersey-bred clearly loves it at Saratoga, where his four victories from five appearances also includes the Woody Stephens in 2024. The dark bay accomplished an unprecedented sweep of Saratoga's main sprint races last season, adding the GII A.G. Vanderbilt Stakes (with a career-best 111 Beyer) and the GI Forego Stakes.Having eschewed a trip west for the GI Breeders' Cup Sprint, Book'em Danno also gave the rich Middle East sprints a pass over the winter and returned in the GII Carter Stakes Apr. 4. Always in a striking position, Book'em Danno couldn't quite seal the deal and has every right to improve second off the layoff.Book'em Danno blew out a sharp three-eighths in :35 flat from the gate at Monmouth Park on May 29.Book'em Danno | Sarah Andrew“All of his major work was done; I just put a sharpener into him. I usually pop him out of the gate every time before he runs,” Ryan said. “We got a good blow into him, and he came back good. His works have been good so far this year and he's right where we want him to be.”Runner-up in the 2024 GI Breeders' Cup Sprint, Bentornato made the most of two appearances last season including an all-the-way defeat of Imagination (Good Magic) on championship day at Del Mar Nov. 1. The Florida-bred made his seasonal debut in the G1 Dubai Golden Shaheen Mar. 28 and was done in to a degree by an inside draw, but he boxed on bravely to fill second spot behind the repeating Dark Saffron (Flameaway).“We gave him 60 days after Breeders' Cup, so it was very impressive how he came off the layoff in that race. I know he needed that race,” trainer Jose D'Angelo said. “Also, we broke inside horses and he was fourth or fifth and then later making his move.”Imagination did his part to flatter the Breeders' Cup Sprint form, overcoming a troubled trip to win the G2 Riyadh Dirt Sprint Feb. 14 and he comes here off a fourth in the Churchill Downs Stakes, though he would appear to have a few lengths to find with the top two.The post Belmont Undercard A Grade I Extravaganza appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.