NEW YORK (AP) — Alcomo beat a stubborn Gabriel’s Hill by a nose Friday in the $170,000 Brooklyn Handicap at Belmont Park.
The Brooklyn and the Belmont Stakes on Saturday are two of a handful of major U.S. stakes run at 112 miles on the main track.
Alcomo needed every inch of that distance to secure his ninth win in 26 starts, finishing in 2:30.07 on the fast track. The 7-year-old was ridden by Cornelio Velasquez for trainer Eduardo Caramori.
Gabriel’s Hill bounded right to the front and fought bravely to wire, yielding only in the final strides to the onrushing Alcomo.
Alcomo paid $21.40, $10.20 and $7.60. Gabriel’s Hill returned $16.80 and $11. Eldaafer, winner of the Brooklyn last year, paid $3.90 to show.
