RACING

     This Saturday marks a big day for the sport of horse racing here at Belmont Park, for it’s Breeders’ Cup day. A real local favorite is Aptitude, winner of five of 14 starts, including the latest, a 10-length victory in the Jockey Club Gold Cup.
     “If this horse wins the Breeders’ Cup Classic, he deserves Horse of Year honors,” said trainer Bobby Frankel, who has won 35 stakes races this year, alone. “I didn’t train him hard so he’ll be ready for the Breeders’ Cup.
     “I feel very good about the race even though he’s always had ankle problems, but he never had any surgery. He has come on in the last three months.”
     In the mile and a quarter Jockey Club Gold Cup, Aptitude broke very sharp, according to Frankel.
     “He’s changed from earlier in the year,” jockey Jerry Bailey said. “He’s more aggressive. I think Bobby did a good thing putting the blinkers on.”
     Aptitude had finished second in the Hollywood Gold Cup and won the Saratoga Breeders Cup Handicap. Last year Aptitdude wound up runnerup in the Belmont Stakes and Kentucky Derby but did not compete in the Preakness.
     The four year old colt enters the big race, which should draw a packed crowd, with earnings totalling $1,965,410.