SCENE SETTER: The elder sprinters put on their show in the True North, inaugurated in 1979 and offered at its current 6-1/2 furlong distance since 2018. Jockey Joel Rosario (who rides Anarchist) has had a deft hand in this race, winning 3 times in the past decade, cruising home much the best last year aboard heavily favored Jackie’s Warrior. In fact, favorites have won this race 5 straight years. Californians have shipped to win here 5 times since 2000, having intermittent success. The 2023 lineup is led by Breeders’ Cup Sprint winner Elite Power in search of his seventh straight win.

SCENE SETTER: Turf milers match up in the Poker Stakes around 1 turn, a race not named for the card game, but rather the grass runner of the 1960s who would go on to be a formidable sire. The Poker Stakes inaugurated in 1983 and has been won 5 times by trainer Bill Mott, including Elusive Quality’s 1998 world record-setting performance in 1:31.63. Trainer Chad Brown has had the post-time favorite 3 years running, winning a year ago with Masen. But this year’s chalk likely will be smashing Grade 1 Maker’s Mark Mile winner Chez Pierre, who turned in one of 2023’s top performances last time at Keeneland.

SCENE SETTER: Similar to the Belmont Stakes at a mile and one-half on the main track, the Brooklyn provides a stage for the older horses to shine over a rare American trip. They’ve been running the Brooklyn since 1887, but it was extended back out to its current distance in 2008. Todd Pletcher trainees have won this 2 of the last 3 years, namely Marconi (2019) and Fearless (2022). He’s won the Brooklyn 5 times overall and will saddle Bright Future this Saturday. This will be the only 2-turn dirt race on the card prior to the Belmont Stakes for those trying to get a sense of how the track may be playing on Saturday. Warrant and Lone Rock, who finished second and third in this race a year ago, are re-matched. Lone Rock, now age 8, won the Brooklyn by 11-plus lengths in 2021.

SCENE SETTER: The Breeders’ Cup Distaff division comes into clarity here with a unique mile and one-sixteenth trip around a single turn. Defending champion Clairiere tries for the first Phipps repeat since Sightseek in 2003-’04 and just its third all-time since being inaugurated in 1961. Clairiere’s trainer, Steve Amussen, has won this race 3 of the past 4 years, first with Midnight Bisou and She’s a Julie. Challenges come from recent Grade 1 La Troienne 1-2-3 finishers Played Hard, Secret Oath (the 2022 Kentucky Oaks winner) and Search Results. Favorites have split the last 6 decisions in the Phipps.

SCENE SETTER: Renowned trainer Woody Stephens forever will be remembered for his five consecutive Belmont Stakes victories between 1982-’86. The race named in his honor measures just 7 furlongs, five-eighths of a mile shorter than Saturday’s main event. The Stephens often provides a crossroads between the 3-year-old hopefuls who fell short of the Triple Crown distances as well as the tried-and-true sprinters. Jockey Jose Ortiz has won this race in back-to-back years aboard Drain the Clock and Jack Christopher; he’ll team with longshot Arman. Smashing Sir Barton Stakes winner Arabian Lion and Pat Day Mile winner General Jim bring hot hands from the previous Triple Crown undercard stops. A deep field of 13 includes 7 last-out winners.

SCENE SETTER: Annually one of America’s premier and most important turf sprints, the Jaipur has been a haven for veteran dashers in recent years. Horses aged 5 or 6 have won 8 straight editions. Trainers Christophe Clement (3) and Bill Mott (2) have combined to win 5 of the last 7 runnings of the Jaipur, with the latter owning a race record 5 victories all-time. The Jaipur favorite has been in the money 6 straight years with 3 wins during that time. A capacity field of 14 is entered and includes reigning Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint winner Caravel in search of 5 straight wins. Defending Jaipur champ Casa Creed (trained by Mott) leads a deep opposition. Clement counters with Big Invasion.

SCENE SETTER: The famed ‘Met Mile’ remains one of Thoroughbred racing’s signature events, witnessed a year ago as Flightline continued his ascent atop the game. The long-time Memorial Day fixture moved to the Belmont Stakes undercard in 2014. A necessary blend of speed and class annually attracts top older horses of varying skill sets, but it’s the 4-year-olds who have been most brilliant in winning on 11 straight occasions, including Preakness and Belmont winners like Shackleford and Palace Malice, as well as elite sprinters like Mitole. This year’s entries include Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile winner Cody’s Wish, a winner in 5 straight starts. His rivals include 2021 Breeders’ Cup Sprint nose runner-up Dr. Schivel, last year’s Kentucky Derby third-place finisher Zandon and 2022 Florida Derby winner White Abarrio.

SCENE SETTER: The traditional lead-in race to the Belmont Stakes, the Manhattan debuted in 1867 and is a mile and one-quarter turf test. The last 9 editions have been dominated by a pair of trainers, particularly Chad Brown with 7 victories during that time – including the last 4 in succession. Brown won it last year with 19-1 Tribhuvan in a wire-to-wire upset, leading a 1-2 finish for the barn among 4 entrants. Graham Motion trainees broke through to win here in 2017-’18. In fact, only 5 trainers have accounted for the Manhattan victories dating back to 2007. Three of the last 4 winners exited the Turf Classic at Churchill Downs on Kentucky Derby Day, a race won 5 weeks ago by Manhattan prospect Up to the Mark. He’ll meet local Man o’ War Stakes alumni Red Knight, Soldier Rising, Warren Point et al.