Twenty-Six Black Targets First Graded Victory in Belmont Turf Sprint

A Look at the Contenders for the Belmont Turf Sprint

As Saturday’s $200,000 Belmont Turf Sprint (G3) approaches, several top contenders are preparing to take on the challenge. Among them is Twenty Six Black, a New York homebred trained by Horacio De Paz. The 5-year-old War Dancer bay has shown consistent improvement over his four racing seasons and is looking to make a strong showing in this event.

Twenty Six Black, who was gelded ahead of his 2024 campaign, has matured significantly. De Paz noted that the horse's progress stems from his experience, seasoning, and ability to handle different conditions. He only runs six or seven times a year, allowing him time to rest and recover during the winter months.

The horse’s recent performances have been impressive. In the Grade 2 Troy, he finished second with a career-best 100 Beyer Speed Figure, and in the restricted Disco Partner, he won by 2 1/4 lengths. Both races were run over 5 1/2-furlongs of firm turf at Saratoga Race Course. His last outing saw him win as the mutuel favorite, finishing in a time of 1:01.43.

Flavien Prat, who has piloted Twenty Six Black in his last two races, is known for his ability to read the race and position the horse effectively. De Paz praised Prat’s understanding of the horse, stating that he can place him wherever needed depending on what happens up front.

De Paz also highlighted the importance of Twenty Six Black’s training routine. Before each race, the horse undergoes an easy work session, followed by sharpening exercises to keep him in peak condition. This approach has proven effective, as evidenced by his sharp half-mile works over the Belmont Park dirt track and the Saratoga main track.

A strong performance in the Belmont Turf Sprint could see Twenty Six Black compete in the $200,000 New York Turf Sprint Championship on October 25 at Aqueduct. De Paz described the horse as a "gentleman of a horse" who is easy to work with and always gives his best.

Other Notable Contenders

In addition to Twenty Six Black, several other horses are set to compete in the event. Charles T. Matses’ Kentucky homebred Alogon, trained by Ned Allard, will make his third appearance in the race. The 6-year-old California Chrome gelding has consistently finished in the top four in his last seven outings, including a notable fourth-place finish in the 2023 edition of the race.

Reeves Thoroughbred Racing and Darlene Bilinski’s New York-bred Senbei, trained by Miguel Clement, is another key contender. The 6-year-old Candy Ride gelding won the event last year and has an impressive record of 5-3-0-0 on the Big A turf. His transition to turf in 2023 has been successful, with multiple stakes wins under his belt.

Other notable entries include Dancing Buck, who won the race in 2022; Bold Journey, a graded stakes winner on dirt; Run Curtis Run, a multiple graded stakes-placed horse; and Live High Live Low, who has also placed in stakes races. Acoustic Ave is entered for the main track only.

With a mix of experienced runners and promising newcomers, the Belmont Turf Sprint promises to be a competitive and exciting event. Each horse brings its own strengths and strategies, making it an intriguing race to watch.