ELMONT, N.Y. – The New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) will host a Cross Country Pick 5 on Saturday with Keeneland in Lexington, Kentucky. The sequence will include two graded stakes, including the 25th running of the Grade 2, $200,000 Sands Point for 3-year-olds at Belmont and the 36th edition of the Grade 1, $500,000 Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup for 3-year-old fillies at Keeneland. The multi-race wager, hosted by NYRA and featuring a 50-cent minimum, will start with Race 8 at Belmont with a 4:40 p.m. Eastern post time.
The maiden race for juveniles will see an eight-horse field compete at seven furlongs on Big Sandy. Action will then shift to Keeneland for Race 8 at 4:57 p.m., with an 11-horse claiming field going six furlongs. Alternating back to Belmont for the third leg, seven sophomore fillies will compete in the 1 1/8-mile Sands Point on the inner turf at 5:13 p.m. Trainer Chad Brown will send out two formidable contenders, including 5-2 favorite New and Improved and the French-bred Olendon, listed at 5-1. The Kiaran McLaughlin-trained Romantic Pursuit will look to win her first career stakes, breaking from post 6 at 7-2 on the morning line.
Keeneland will also feature stakes action in the fourth leg, with nine sophomore fillies. Brown trains one-third of the field, with Cambier Parc, Regal Glory and Café Americano all looking for success at nine furlongs on the turf. Other contenders include the Graham Motion-trained Varenka and the Ken McPeek-conditioned Princesa Carolina. The final race in the Cross Country Pick 5 will stay at Keeneland, featuring a full field of maiden fillies sprinting six furlongs in Race 10 at 6:03 p.m.
The minimum bet for the multi-track, multi-race wager is 50 cents. Wagering on the Cross Country Pick 5 is also available on track, on ADW platforms, and at simulcast facilities across the country. There will be a mandatory payout of the entire pool.
Belmont Park/Keeneland Cross Country Pick 5 – October 12: Leg 1 – Belmont, Race 8: (4:40 p.m.)
Leg 2 – Keeneland, Race 8: (4:57 p.m.)
Leg 3 – Belmont, Race 9: G2 Sands Point (5:13 p.m.)
Leg 4 – Keeneland, Race 9: G1 Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup (5:30 p.m.)
Leg 5 – Keeneland, Race 10: (6:03 p.m.)
*Always remember NYRA encourages responsible wagering. For gambling problems call toll free 1-877-8-hope ny
