When ticketed fans were allowed to enter a NYRA track for the first time since March 8, 2020, a group of about two dozen eager patrons stood outside the clubhouse entrance at Beautiful Belmont awaiting 11 a.m. when the doors would open.

Botty trained New England Horses of the Year Sassy City and Lovethatdirtywater.

With John Velazquez aboard fresh off a score in the April 30 Longines Kentucky Oaks (G1), Zedan Racing Stables’ Medina Spirit led 18 rivals to victory in the May 1 Kentucky Derby (G1). The win was a record seventh in the race for Bob Baffert.

Colonel Liam reeled in Smooth Like Strait down the Churchill Downs stretch but was not alone at the wire as Domestic Spending got up just in time for a dead-heat finish in the $1 million Turf Classic Stakes (G1T).

Multiple graded stakes-placed Our Super Freak, who has tackled the heaviest hitters in her division, seeks a breakthrough victory against a stakes-winning field May 2 in the $200,000 Ruffian Stakes (G2) for older fillies and mares at Belmont Park.

Flagstaff edged longshot Lexitonian and Whitmore to win the $500,000 Churchill Downs Stakes (G1) May 1 at Churchill Downs. The 7-year-old son of Speightstown ran seven furlongs in 1:21.82.

Trainer Bob Baffert is best known for his powerful main-track runners, but on May 1 at Churchill Downs, one of his victories came in the $500,000 American Turf Stakes (G2T) with Du Jour, a horse owned by his wife, Jill, and Debbie Lanni.

Colonel Liam reeled in Smooth Like Strait down the Churchill Downs stretch, but was not alone at the wire as Domestic Spending got up just in time for a dead-heat finish in the $1 million Turf Classic Stakes (G1T).

Flagstaff edged longshot Lexitonian and Whitmore to win the $500,000 Churchill Downs Stakes Presented by Ford (G1) May 1 at Churchill Downs. The 7-year-old son of Speightstown ran seven furlongs in 1:21.82.

Returned to racing around one-turn, the speedy Jackie’s Warrior fended off Dream Shake for a head victory in the $500,000 Pat Day Mile Stakes Presented by LG&E and KU (G2).