Good Reward Seeks Repeat

The richest race on the card today at Belmont Park is the $1-million Belmont Stakes, but minus Barbaro and Bernardini, it is not the best race on the 13-race program.

That honor goes to the $400,000 Manhattan Handicap, a Grade I at 1 1/4 miles on the turf.

In the field of nine are defending champion Good Reward, Relaxed Gesture, Grey Swallow and English Channel.

Owned by breeder Phipps Stable and trained by Shug McGaughey, Good Reward, a 5-year-old Storm Cat horse, is winless since his 14-1 upset of Relaxed Gesture, Artie Schiller and nine others last year. He has lost five times since and his best finish was a third in the Makers Mark on April 14 at Keeneland. Javier Castellano will ride and they will break from the inside post.

Race of the day: Tiger, who has won three of four since joining trainer Jimmy Jerkens’ barn, heads a field of eight sprinters scheduled to go six furlongs in the $200,000 True North Handicap today at Belmont Park. Eibar Coa will ride the 5-year-old Storm Boot gelding for owners Susan and John Moore in the Grade II, which is the first leg of a pick six with a guaranteed pool of $1 million.

One for the road: Delafield has won two of three at 1 1/2 miles on turf, so make him the choice to pull a mild surprise in the $40,000 Mac Diarmida today at Arlington Park.

Eddie Perez will ride the 6-year-old Silver Hawk gelding for Summer Camp Stable and trainer Chris Block. Delafield also likes the Arlington turf course, having won three of five over the layout.

Exotically speaking: A late pick four using Meetmeinthewoods in the seventh; Quality Stuff, One Big Giggle and Witchy Willow in the eighth; Lucky J.H. and Captain Squire in the ninth; and Purple Slurple, Lite Nelly, Social Skywalker and Fanatical in the 10th.

Winners (through Thursday): (previous day/meet total): 4/86. Money: (previous day/meet total): $20.20/$550.40. Total money bet: $590.