While the scratch of Epicharis (JPN) impacted the amount of money wagered, the Belmont Stakes presented by NYRA Bets (G1) June 10 at Belmont Park still became the first United States classic simulcast into Japan.

Total handle for the Belmont Stakes day card June 10 at Belmont Park was down 5.8% to $93,666,832 although handle for the three-day Belmont Stakes Racing Festival increased 1.6% to $124,740,193.

Led by the Haras Doce Vale’s Brazilian Filly Triple Crown winner No Regrets (BRZ) and multiple Group 1 winner Haras Santa Maria Araras’s Daffy Girl (BRZ), a field of 18 runners has been entered for the June 11 Grande Premio Brasil (G1) at Gavea.

With an inside trip just off favored Irish War Cry, Bridewood Farm, Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners, and Robert LaPenta’s Tapwrit angled out in the stretch under jockey Jose Ortiz and kicked well clear of the rest in the 1 1/2-mile classic.

Odds-on favorite Believe in Bertie did all of the work in the $100,000 Old Forester Mint Julep Handicap (G3), but was unable to hold off a late surge from Dona Bruja (ARG) in the final strides. 

In his graded stakes debut off back-to-back wins, Ascend proved up to the class upgrade when he scored a clear victory in the $1 million Woodford Reserve Manhattan Stakes (G1T) June 10 at Belmont Park.

When the hard-knocking Mor Spirit earned a 6 1/4-length win in the $1.2 million Mohegan Sun Metropolitan Handicap (G1), it marked the fourth victory on the day for Bob Baffert and fifth triumph for Mike Smith.

Juddmonte Farms’ Antonoe announced her presence with a tremendous run in the $700,000 Longines Just a Game (G1T) June 10 at Belmont Park.

For a second straight year a Patricia Generazio homebred not only won the Jaipur (G3T) but set a course and North American record in the process when Disco Partner rallied to a half-length victory in the turf sprint June 10 at Belmont Park.

American Anthem left his field in arrears as he scored a powerful victory in the seven-furlong Woody Stephens Stakes, giving his trainer Bob Baffert a third win on the Belmont Stakes card

Santa Anita Park’s stewards issued jockey Kent Desormeaux an official warning June 10 for his controversial actions during a workout May 28 at the Southern California racetrack.

A filly from the first crop of sprinter Poseidon’s Warrior and an Astrology filly posted bullet works June 10 as Ocala Breeders’ Sales concluded its under tack show in preparation for next week’s 2-year-olds and horses in training sale.

For a second straight year a Patricia Generazio homebred not only won the Jaipur (G3T) but set a course and North American record in the process when Disco Partner rallied to a half-length victory in the turf sprint June 10 at Belmont Park.

Abel Tasman, winner of the May 5 Longines Kentucky Oaks (G1), put on another last-to-first showcase when she shot up the rail and withstood a challenge from Salty to capture the $700,000 Acorn Stakes (G1).

In her 2017 debut June 10 at Belmont Park in the $750,000 Ogden Phipps Stakes (G1), Fox Hill Farm’s 4-year-old daughter of Medaglia d’Oro was challenged in the turn by Paid Up Subscriber.

Hall of Famer Bob Baffert brought West Coast to the East Coast ready to rumble, and the son of Flatter impressed like a 9-5 choice should June 10 in the $150,000 Easy Goer Stakes at Belmont Park.

War Story made the last run, passed frontrunning favorite Tu Brutus and Sunny Ridge late, and took the 12-furlong Brooklyn Invitational (G2) June 10 at Belmont Park.

Despite the scratch of Japan-based Epicharis from the Belmont Stakes presented by NYRA Bets (G1) the morning of June 10, the Japan Racing Association will still accept the simulcast signal of the 1 1/2-mile classic.

With the first two classic winners of 2017 skipping the Belmont Stakes presented by NYRA Bets (G1) and a pair of hopefuls not making the race, the big-event approach to the day by the New York Racing Association could prove key June 10.