The Vosburgh Stakes can work two ways as far as the Breeders’ Cup goes. At a seven-furlong distance, it can help a candidate for the World Championships at Santa Anita prep for the Qatar Racing Breeders’ Cup Sprint at six furlongs or the Big Ass Fans Dirt Mile.

In the case of Sunday’s edition at the Belmont at the Big A (Aqueduct) meet, the winner will get an automatic berth in the Breeders’ Cup Sprint, though the heavy favorite, Cody’s Wish, is targeting the Dirt Mile. (Please note: the race was postponed a day from Saturday to Sunday due to inclement weather forecasts in New York.) 

1. Great Navigator (20-1 morning-line odds): New Jersey-bred put in a huge effort last time to win a two-turn stakes at Monmouth Park, but the prospect of cutting back to a sprint and the likelihood of a bounce work against him.

JOCKEY: Jairo Rendon; TRAINER: Eddie Owens Jr.

2. Cowan (20-1): Won an allowance race at Charles Town Races last time out after a 15 1/2-month layoff. The time was mediocre but he could take a step forward here. Whether that will be enough to make him competitive in this field is questionable.

JOCKEY: J D Acosta; TRAINER: Raymond Ginter Jr.

3. Sheriff Bianco (10-1): New York state-bred is in sharp form for leading trainer Linda Rice. He’s a cut below Cody’s Wish but has enough speed to finish in the money.

JOCKEY: Jose Ortiz; TRAINER: Linda Rice                                                                  

4. Accretive (9-2): Was second in the Grade 2 Amsterdam Stakes to Gunite last year as a 3-year-old. Spent 11 months on the sidelines before returning with two 2023 allowance wins. Showed improvement last time and looks like the biggest threat to the favorite.

JOCKEY: Irad Ortiiz Jr.; TRAINER: Chad Brown

5. High Oak (12-1): He ran in the Grade 1 Forego Stakes due to a small field and wound up finishing third behind a stablemate in the Bill Mott barn. Faces the same prospect here with a different Mott horse being a deserving favorite in a small field.

JOCKEY: Katie Davis; TRAINER: Bill Mott

6. Cody’s Wish (1-5): He was 2-5 odds when third in the Whitney Stakes while stretching out to 1 1/8 miles and will probably be sent off at lower odds here. He won six straight stakes prior to the Whitney, including the 2022 Dirt Mile and the Hill ‘n’ Dale Metropolitan Handicap in June. This is just a prep for the Breeders’ Cup but the namesake for teenager Cody Dorman, who is battling Wolf-Hirschhorn syndrome, has a huge edge in class and speed figures over his rivals.

JOCKEY: Junior Alvarado; TRAINER: Bill Mott

THE PICK: Cody’s Wish

LIVE LONGSHOT: High Oak

TRIFECTA: 6-4-5