ERC 3yos go a mile and a half in the ERC Belmont Derby at virtual Belmont Park

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New York (NY) Saturday, June 6, 2026 — 3:20:00 PM EST | Race ID : 3700784
E R C BELMONT DERBY
Stakes – Sponsored – Purse : $100,000 – 3 Year Olds – Owner Restricted
12 Furlongs | ~2400 Meters | One Mile and a Half Fast Dirt

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The Elite Racing Club gathers to celebrate its version of “the test of the champion”, the E R C Belmont Derby. To be run at a mile and a half, ( or 12 furlongs, or ~2400 meters for the metric fans), a field of 12 sophomore runners, including a pair of upset seeking fillies, will battle for the winner’s share of the $100,000 purse on tap, and to join the select list of winners of this yearly event.
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This may be the only time these athletes go this marathon distance, so it should be an entertaining race. Here’s the field in entry point order.

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ROCKET SYSTEMS…………………JPN………3M……….jbcri14
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The top entry point contestant exits an impressive romp in a NW2L allowance at 10.5 furlongs, blasting a 106 SP# with an explosive late run to win going away. Burly, bay Henny Hughes colt was 4th in the same conditions at 7.5 panels, bagging a 91 SP# with a nice stretch run. One before that he was 9th in the same conditions at mile, but never a threat with an 86 SP#. Dead closer is the first of two jbcri09 contenders; the classic combination of front runner and stretch runner. Could be a bounce candidate off big effort last out; if not, should be gaining down the lane as they rush to the wire.
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SUBTLE STRENGTH……………….. KY……….3M……….summerset22
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Finished with gusto last time over in the ERC Kentucky Derby, getting 3rd with a determined late move, crushing a 98 SP# from further back in the pack than in earlier efforts. Luminous, light grey Tapit colt was 2nd best in his ERC Kentucky Derby tune up in a NW3L allowance at 9.5 furlongs, catching a 96 SP# from just off the early leaders. He won his seasonal opener in a NW2L allowance at a mile and an eighth, casting a 91 SP# from the middle of the pack. Runner from summerset, our managing director’s barn, should be in the second flight or mid-pack and has shown tractability early in his career. Jockey tactics could be a deciding factor in this event, and with this inside post should be able to work out a trip.
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MO MOTIVATED………………….. KY……….3F ……….downsontherock
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Beautiful bay filly is the first of our distaff entrants. Intra-club claim for $60,000 from the dontbetonme barn exits a victory in a NW2x allowance first time off the claim at 9.5 panels, kicking a 96 SP# in a perfect stalking trip. Highly Motivated honey won the race she was claimed from at three quarters of a mile in the slop, knocking down an 89 SP# in a front running performance. One back of that she won a Nw2L allowance at a mile in the slop, nabbing a 93 SP# from the middle of the pack. Has shown some versatility in her career for the newfydowns outfit, could be involved in the early pace but it’s a tough task to beat males at this trip.
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LEVICORPUS ………………………. JPN……..3G……….canbred2
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Light grey gelding finished well for 4th in the ERC Kentucky Derby in last outing, though beaten by 10 lengths he was up for a 96 SP#. Dunkirk dancer had won three straight allowance route races leading up to that, two of them at 10.5 furlongs with 94 & 96 SP#’s, the other a maiden breaker at 9 panels, for a 95 SP#. Another runner who has flashed versatility early in their career; probably more well suited to an off pace the effort in this field; the other half of the newfydowns entry looks like he’ll handle the trip – but can he get home first ?
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FRONT ROW RIDE………………….LA………3M……….dontbetonme18
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Improving Exaggerator edger was 2nd best in the ERC Kentucky Derby beating many of his foes here, grabbing a 99 SP# from well back in the pack. Boisterous brown colt closed for 3rd one before that in a NW2L allowance at 9.5 furlongs, getting a 96 SP# though never a threat to the runaway winner. In his prior run he broke his maiden at 10.5 panels, garnering a 101 SP# in another back of the pack trip. Dontbetonme trainee was held out of the ERC Preakness to run in this spot – he should be waiting to pounce entering the far turn, can get there with an effective jockey ride.
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RICHIE STRIKER……………………..KY………3M……….rucks
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Light grey laser ran on evenly for 5th in his latest try in the ERC Kentucky Derby, smacking a 97 SP# against many opponents he’s facing here. In his previous start he finished 2nd in an open allowance at 9.5 panels, stashing a 94 SP# in a four horse affair. Essential Quality equalizer won his 2nd try on the weeds in his prior run in a NW2L allowance at 9.5 furlongs, sticking a 95 SP# with a nice stalking trip. Runner from the rucks racing stable has no wins in seven tries on the dirt, will need to improve his steady SP’s to compete with the top contenders in this heat.
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REDLINE CHARLIE………………….JPN……..3G……….survivoreh2
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Hot Rod Charlie hummer was an excellent 2nd in his first start off the dunnvilledowns claim in a NW3L allowance at 9.5 furlongs, banging out a 94 SP# in a mid pack trip. Bashful brown gelding just missed by a head in the $20,000 claimer he was claimed from, logging a 92 SP# in a stalking effort. He won one before that in the same conditions at the same distance, lobbing a 92 SP# in a four horse affair. Dunnvilledowns protege has hit the board in all his starts; needs to up his game a little bit against these but is another whose jockey tactics may impact his finish.
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NEW CONSTITUTION……………..KY………3M……….xtras
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Brutish bay colt exits an even 4th in a NW2L allowance at a mile and an eighth, flopping a 90 SP#. Constitution cut-up closed well for 3rd one before that in a NW2L allowance at 9.5 panels, floating a 93 SP# with a nice late move. One back of that he won an open maiden at 9 furlongs, flinging a 97 SP# from way back in the pack. Has won but once in his short career thus far, but appears to be well suited to this marathon distance, and is part of a powerful one two punch from the harrylan racing group.
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MOTIVATED STRIKE……………….KY………3M……….dontbetonme19
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The second half of the classic speed and closer entry from the dontbetonme racing stable comes off a last to first performance to get his initial win in an open maiden at 10 panels, zapping a 94 SP# to get up late. Highly Motivated hustler was 3rd one before that using the same last to first trip before running out of track, tossing a 93 SP# . Burnished bay colt was 3rd in an open maiden one prior at a mile and an eighth, tacking a 92 SP# with his usual late run. Hopes his stablemate can soften up some of the speedsters to get his late run in gear.
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RYZO LOBSTER…………………….WA………3M……….doradowns
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Bucking brown colt won his 3rd straight race, this one at a mile on the grass last time over, wiring the field for a 94 SP#. Private Gold prancer took down a $60,000 starter at 8.5 panels on dirt, whacking a 92 SP# making every step a winning one. One back of that he won a $150,000 claimer at 6.5 panels, wiggling a 78 SP# on a “yielding” turf course. Speedster is the other half of the dunnvilledowns racing operation; should be winging it from the first jump, though unlikely to last against toughest field he’s ever faced.
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SIMPLY JUSTIFY ………………….. KY……….3M……….harrylanlow23
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The second half of the harrylan entry finally found his first victory in an open maiden at 10 furlongs, crushing a 98 SP# with a devastating late run. Justify jogger was way up the track in his previous start at 9 panels, getting an 80 SP# in his only turf try. Lanky light grey colt was last of ten in prior run, casting an 80 SP# while watching them all pass the finish line ahead of him. May have woken up with greatly improved effort last out; could find this distance to his liking, setting up a 17/1 long shot getting the glory.
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CLUB BILANT………………………..CA………..3F……….jbcri12
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Our second filly was a $150,000 claim by jbcri12, who was paid immediate dividends after wiring a $125,000 claimer at 9 panels, drilling a 95 SP# in a wire to wire romp. Clubhouse Ride canterer was 2nd best in the race she was claimed from, dropping a 78 SP# after setting the early pace. Leaping, light grey filly settled for 2nd one back of that, digging an 86 SP# after making the early fractions. Speedy filly will probably be in front in the early stages, but will be hard pressed to keep up with the males as they are turning for home.
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Good luck everybody, and may they all come home fast, safe and sound.