Globetrotting superstar Forever Young (Jpn) (Real Steal {Jpn}) will target a title defense in the GI Breeders' Cup Classic at Keeneland, and will prep for that tilt via the GI Jockey Club Gold Cup at the new Belmont Park, the connections announced via the Yahagi Stable X account.NYRA will celebrate a new era for the historic track starting Sept. 18 with a program anchored by the Gold Cup on its return from Saratoga, where it has been run since 2021. The 10-furlong contest is a 'Win and You're In' challenge race for the Classic. FOX will presented live coverage of the Gold Cup through its broadcast network.“Forever Young has captured the hearts of racing fans around the globe, and we are delighted his connections are targeting the Breeders' Cup World Championships as the culmination of his 2026 season,” said Dora Delgado, executive vice president and chief racing officer for Breeders' Cup Limited via a press release. “We thank them for their commitment to elite international competition and extend our appreciation to the great team at NYRA for their partnership in hosting and supporting his return to the United States via the Jockey Club Gold Cup. We eagerly anticipate welcoming Forever Young to Keeneland this fall to defend his title in the Longines Breeders' Cup Classic.”Forever Young would be making his first start since his runner-up effort to Magnitude (Not This Time) in the G1 Dubai World Cup back in March. He successfully defended his title in the G1 Saudi Cup in mid-February, and has now won 11 of 15 lifetime starts while being undefeated in Japan. Since becoming his home country's first Classic winner last year, Forever Young has earned more than $31.7-million in purses worldwide.“We are thrilled to welcome Forever Young to the Jockey Club Gold Cup at the new Belmont Park,” said Andrew Offerman, SVP of racing and operations for NYRA. “NYRA is deeply appreciative of the Breeders' Cup for their partnership and support in helping make this possible, and we look forward to celebrating Forever Young, the Jockey Club Gold Cup, and the return to Belmont Park on Friday, September 18.”The newly rebuilt track will host the Breeders' Cup World Championships in 2027 as the two-day international festival of racing slated for Oct. 29-30 returns to New York for the first time since 2005. Next year will mark the sixth time the World Championships will be held in New York, joining the 1985 running at Aqueduct Racetrack, and Belmont Park editions in 1990, 1995, 2001, and 2005.For more information about the 2027 Breeders' Cup, please go here, and for more information about the new Belmont Park–including for the Sept. 18 opening weekend–please go here.The post Forever Young Will Make New York Stop En Route to Breeders’ Cup Return appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.