Action on Belmont Stakes day features a number of Grade One races. The Metropolitan Handicap is the tenth race due off at Saratoga, with a small but talented field of six runners set to go to post to compete over a mile.
Before Betting On Metropolitan Handicap
The Metropolitan Handicap has been staged annually since 1891, with the field competing over a distance of a mile. The Met Mile will be staged at Saratoga this year due to construction work taking place at Belmont Park, but there will still be a hugely lucrative prize fund of $1 million on the contest this year.
This race has long-been considered a springboard for Breeders’ Cup success, with Flightline landing victory in the contest in 2022 before winning the Classic. The reigning Classic winner will be involved in the race this year, as White Abarrio makes his return to action in the U.S. He was very disappointing in the Middle East over the winter, and it could be argued that a mile distance doesn’t suit the Richard Dultrow runner as much as his competitors on Saturday.
National Treasure could feasibly be the attractive alternative this weekend. The Bob Baffert runner was fourth in the G1 Saudi Cup on his previous outing, and was the winner of the G1 Pegasus World Cup in late January. He is also proven over this distance after finishing a very close second behind Cody’s Wish in the G1 Breeders’ Cup Mile last year.
Post Time will take his chance in stakes company for trainer Brittany Russell this weekend. The four-year-old was a close second behind Messier in the G3 Westchester Stakes on his previous outing, but he boasts excellent speed after already winning a pair of races over seven furlongs this term.
Metropolitan Handicap Offshore Odds & Pick
| Horse | Odds |
|---|---|
| White Abarrio | 2.20 |
| National Treasure | 2.60 |
| Post Time | 4.50 |
| Blazing Sevens | 9.00 |
| Hoist The Gold | 16.00 |
| Castle Chaos | 21.00 |
The fact that this race will be run over a mile this weekend is the key factor to consider. National Treasure has proven form over the trip, and that could see him come out on top in a showdown against the ultra-talented White Abarrio.
