2020 Vosburgh Stakes at a Glance

Racing
Firenze Fire, left, ran second to Imperial Hint in the 2019 Vosburgh Stakes and returns as a top contender for the 2020 Vosburgh Sept. 26 at Belmont. (Eclipse Sportswire)

The Vosburgh Stakes lost its star power when Volatile suffered a career-ending injury earlier this week, but without him the six-furlong stakes added a few horses and became a much more competitive race.

Even with just six starters, it should be an interesting betting race as some sharp sprinters battle for a free spot in the Breeders’ Cup Sprint through the Breeders’ Cup Challenge Win and You’re In program.

Grade 2 Vosburgh Stakes

Racetrack: Belmont Park, Elmont, N.Y.
Date: Sept. 26
Purse: $150,000
Distance: 6 furlongs
Race: 9
Post Time: 5:14 p.m. ET
Notable winners: Imperial Hint (2019, 2018), Ghostzapper (2003), Rubiano (1992), Housebuster (1991), Groovy (1987), Track Barron (1984), A Phenomenon (1983), Plugged Nickle (1980), General Assembly (1979), Dr. Patches (1978), Forego (1974), Duck Dance (1971), Ta Wee (1969), Dr. Fager (1968, 1967), Bold Ruler (1957).
First held: 1940

1. True Timber (9-2 morning-line odds): He might need more distance, but he does own a record of three wins from six starts at six furlongs. He’s consistent enough to be a major factor at this level (26-4-4-9 in his career), but he hasn’t won in more than two years and seems better suited for a minor role in the exacta or trifecta.

JOCKEY: Kendrick Carmouche; TRAINER: Jack Sisterson

2. Funny Guy (5-2): He’s emerged as the top dog among New York-bred sprinters and was highly competitive against Grade 1 rivals in the Forego Stakes Presented by America’s Racing, finishing fourth. He’s never competed in a race shorter than 6 ½ furlongs and might need a little more ground to catch the leaders in this spot.

JOCKEY: Joel Rosario; TRAINER: John P. Terranova II

3. Stan the Man (8-1): He’s thrived at the distance with a win and three seconds in four career  and is coming off a nice win in the Tale of the Cat Stakes. He fits in nicely against these, but his late-running style might work against him in a field where there might be a moderate pace.

JOCKEY: John Velazquez; TRAINER: John P. Terranova II                                                                

4. Share the Ride (6-1): He exits a nice, front-running victory in the Mr. Prospector Stakes at Monmouth Park, and if he duplicates that effort he’ll be the one to catch. He’s never faced a field as tough as this, but given the conditions, especially the lack of speedsters in the field, he’s a threat here.

JOCKEY: Manny Franco; TRAINER: Antonio Arriaga

5. Firenze Fire (7-2): He’s the one to beat off an enviable record at Belmont Park with four wins in seven tries. Included in that mark is a win in the Grade 1 Champagne and a loss by a nose in last year’s Vosburgh. He was dismal last time out, finishing last in the Forego, but a soaked racetrack may have accounted for that. A sharp bullet workout for this race indicates he should be primed for a bounce-back effort.

JOCKEY: Jose Lezcano; TRAINER: Kelly Breen

6. Engage (2-1): A year ago, he would have definitely been a major player here. That might happen, but the big question is whether he will be ready for a top effort in his first start in nearly 11 months. That long-ago effort was a fourth in the Breeders’ Cup Sprint, so there’s plenty of talent here. A win in the Grade 2 Stoll Keenon Ogden Phoenix Stakes last year illustrates how good he can be, but whether he’ll be ready for a top effort off the long layoff is the big question mark. According to Daily Racing Form stats, trainer Steve Asmussen wins at a 17% clip with horses returning from a layoff of 180 days or more.

JOCKEY: Jose Ortiz; TRAINER: Steve Asmussen

THE PICK: Firenze Fire

LIVE LONGSHOT: Share the Ride

SUPERFECTA: 5-6-1-4

2020 Vosburgh S.
September 26th, 2020

Winning Time: 1:09.74
  • Purse: $150,000
  • Distance: 6 Furlongs
  • Age: 3 yo's & up
  • Surface: Dirt
  • Winning Time: 1:09.74
Results
Win
Place
Show
1st
5 Firenze Fire
$7.20
$3.60
$2.70
2nd
2 Funny Guy
$3.20
$2.40
3rd
4 Share the Ride
$2.80
4th
1 True Timber
5th
6 Engage
Scratches
Payoff
Pick 3
2-1-5
2-1-5
$239
Pick 3
(X-COUNTRY 2-5-1-5-5)
(X-COUNTRY 2-5-1-5-5)
$54,460
Daily Double
1-5
1-5
$24
Exacta
5-2
5-2
$10
Superfecta
5-2-4-1
5-2-4-1
$5
Trifecta
5-2-4
5-2-4
$15
Grand Slam
2/5/6-2/6/10-1/2/4/8-5
2/5/6-2/6/10-1/2/4/8-5
$31
Payoff
Pick 3
2-1-5
2-1-5
$239
Pick 3
(X-COUNTRY 2-5-1-5-5)
(X-COUNTRY 2-5-1-5-5)
$54,460
Daily Double
1-5
1-5
$24
Exacta
5-2
5-2
$10
Superfecta
5-2-4-1
5-2-4-1
$5
Trifecta
5-2-4
5-2-4
$15
Grand Slam
2/5/6-2/6/10-1/2/4/8-5
2/5/6-2/6/10-1/2/4/8-5
$31

newsletter sign-up

Stay up-to-date with the best from America's Best Racing!

Facebook Twitter Pinterest Instagram TikTok YouTube
Facebook Twitter Pinterest Instagram TikTok YouTube