Aqueduct celebrates Independence Day with six graded stakes over the long weekend. Endlessly returns to turf in the Grade 1 Belmont Derby after falling short in the run for the roses, and Next looks to extend a four-race win streak with a repeat win in the Brooklyn (G2) on Friday.
Stronghold is expected to make his first appearance since the Kentucky Derby in the Indiana Derby (G3), and Beholder Mile (G1) winner Sweet Azteca is expected back in the Great Lady M (G2).
All the entries here are last-out winners. Mystic Lake led at every call in winning the Miss Preakness (G3) by 4 1/2 lengths. Emery is 2-for-2 this year after winning as the odds-on favorite at Churchill Downs. Halina’s Forte was fourth in the Eight Belles (G2) before returning with an optional-claiming allowance win. Autumn Evening tries her first stakes after going 2-for-2 this year.
Next won this race last year, starting a four-race win streak that included his 2024 debut in the Isaac Murphy Marathon Overnight. This will be his shortest distance since 2022. Crupi’s half-length win in the Suburban (G2) was his first start since a 10th-place finish in the Dubai World Cup (G1). Masqueparade, also entered here, was third in the Suburban and is 1-for-4 this year.
