Aqueduct enjoyed a fitting and emotional farewell as horses traveled around the renowned oval for the last time and the final nine races in the Big A's storied history were contested.
Linda Rice and Manny Franco were the respective leaders of the trainer and jockey standings at the Belmont at the Big A spring/summer meet, completing a sweep of this year's meetings at Aqueduct as the leaders at the winter and spring meets as well.
Juddmonte homebred Deep Flame replicated his dominant maiden-breaking performance at Churchill Downs, effortlessly tracking the early pace before accelerating in the turn and drawing off in the Maxfield Stakes (G3) June 28.
Giulio's Jewel, dam of Deterministic, is just one aspect of Hinkle Farms' success. The family-run venture has been in constant evolution since the land was purchased by Anne Archer Hinkle's great-grandfather in 1926.
Benvenuto Cellini wins the Irish Derby (G1) at the Curragh by 1 3/4 lengths over stablemates Ronan Whelan and Pierre Bonnard. Trainer Aidan O'Brien said the Breeders' Cup at Keeneland is a possible target this fall.
As the first half of the season concludes, a three-way neck-and-neck battle is unfolding for the Japanese leading sire title between Kizuna, Kitasan Black, and Lord Kanaloa.