Grassy wins Bowling Green Handicap

Grassy, a 5-year-old thoroughbred, won the Grade 2, $150,000 Bowling Green Handicap last Saturday, which was opening day of the fall season at Belmont Park. Despite tripping under Garrett Gomez, Grassy overtook Center Divider just outside the 16th pole and outlasted that one to the wire, to win by a half-length.

The victory was the first this year for Grassy, who is the son of El Prado, and is owned by Adele Dilschneider and Claiborne Farm. Grassy won the Grade 2 Red Smith at Aqueduct last November.

Hawk finished third at Saturday’s race and Sanagas, the 3-2 favorite, finished fourth.

Saturday marked the first $300,000 Guaranteed Late Pick 4, presented by Foxwoods Resort Casino, which will be offered on Saturdays throughout the fall meet.

The Belmont Park 2011 fall meet’s Grade 1 schedule is highlighted by Super Saturday, on Oct. 1, and the 93rd running of the $750,000 Jockey Club Gold Cup. Last year, older male champion Blame ran in the 1.25-mile fixture before going on to upset Zenyatta in the Breeders’ Cup Classic. The day also features four other Grades 1’s – the $350,000 Beldame Invitational for fillies and mares, the $350,000 Vosburgh Invitational for sprinters, the $500,000 Joe Hirsch Turf Classic Invitational, and the $500,000 Flower Bowl Invitational for fillies and mares on the turf, as well as the Grade 2 Kelso at a mile on the main track.

All of the graded stakes races on Oct. 1 will be Breeders’ Cup Challenge races, meaning that winners will earn automatic entry into the corresponding Breeders’ Cup races. On Super Saturday, the New York Racing Association will offer a $500,000 Guaranteed Pick 4, presented by Foxwoods Resort Casino.

On Oct. 2, a quartet of prestigious races will be held for 2-year-olds: the Grade 2 Nashua at six furlongs on the main track and the Grade 3 Pilgrim at 1 1/16 miles on the turf, along with the Grade 3 Tempted at six furlongs for 2-year-old fillies and the Grade 3 Miss Grillo for 2-year-old fillies, going 1 1/16 miles on the turf.

Juveniles will take center stage again on Oct. 8 with the Grade 1, $300,000 Champagne and the Grade 1, $300,000 Frizette for fillies, which are joined by the Grade 1, $250,000 Jamaica for 3-year-olds, going 1 1/8 miles on the turf.

New York-breds get their chance to shine on New York Showcase Day, which will be held on Saturday, Oct. 22, with seven stakes for the top horses bred in the state, capped by the $200,000 Empire Classic.

Thoroughbred horse racing will be conducted Wednesday to Sunday at Belmont Park during its fall meet, with one exception — Belmont Park will be open on Columbus Day: Monday, October 10. The park will be closed on Tuesday, Oct. 11 and Wednesday, Oct. 12, and will re-open on Thursday, Oct. 13. First race post time is 1 p.m., except on Oct. 1, when first race post time is 12:30 p.m.

For more information on the Belmont Park fall meet, visit nyra.com or call (516) 488-6000.