Tom Pedulla presents five key takeaways from the $500,000 Runhappy Metropolitan Handicap at Belmont Park and other developments during the Fourth of July weekend.
It's nearly impossible to refrain from thinking about the future when a 4-year-old like Vekoma turns in a classy and courageous effort and wins a race as prestigious as the Runhappy Metropolitan Handicap.
Longtime fans of Thoroughbred racing no doubt have fond memories of spending their Memorial Day watching horses like Ghostzapper, Holy Bull, Forego, Arts and Letters, Buckpasser, and Kelso shine in the Metropolitan Handicap. After spending the last six years on the Belmont Stakes day program, the COVID-19 pandemic and revised racing schedules have led to the Met Mile returning to a holiday program.
An impressive holiday weekend of racing lies ahead, highlighted in part by a points race for the 2020 Kentucky Derby presented by Woodford Reserve: the Los Alamitos Derby this Saturday, July 4.
