The BEL Gold Cup (Grade 2)- $250.00 Purse
SAR- For Four Year Olds and Upward
One Mile and One Half on the Inner Turf
June 4, 2026

The last time that Dangerous Fugitive ran at SAR, he would run third in the Grade 1 Sword Dancer at odds of 30/1. He would get more respect at the betting window this time around for the BEL Gold Cup, and he took care of business, winning by a length. Dangerous Fugitive, who was our second choice, is trained by Night Rider Stables and had K Carmouche in the saddle for the win. For each, it is their first win in this race. Congratulations to them! The time of the win was 2:24.51, the fastest of the three editions of the race held at the Spa, but also the only one that would run on firm turf. It’s the second quickest time in the stake’s history if we also consider the BEL times. Let’s take a look at it!

(½ Mile- :48.98)- Heading around the far turn for the first time, there would be four of them running alongside one another, and after a half mile Test The Waters and King Z, each trained by Mb Stables, hold the top two positions. Inoue is third for Royalty Stables and within half a length while fourth place, Maxmillion Farm- trained Stylish Dime runs on the outside. There’s a break of three lengths to the next group, and on the outside here is the eventual winner from Night Rider Stables, Dangerous Fugitive. Boss Spearman runs on the rail here for John Henry, while The Sidley Stud’s Whipped is between horses. It’s another length and a half to Kegger (Ajm Stables), who’s followed by Gold Vault (The Sidley Stud).

(3/4 Mile- 1:13.18)- Moving into the clubhouse turn, Test The Waters and King Z pull a full length ahead of Stylish Dime and Inoue. Further back, Dangerous Fugitive begins to clear both Boss Spearman and Whipped in the middle of the pack, with Kegger and Gold Vault still bringing up the rear.

(Top of Stretch, 1.7F To Go)- During the backstretch, Test The Waters and King Z were still out in front, but Dangerous Fugitive would methodically eat into his deficit to them. Reaching the top of the far turn, he was now making a four wide move, looking to get by Stylish Dime. As this was going on Inoue was dropping out of it. Once they reached the top of the stretch, the lead belonged to Dangerous Fugitive as he lead Test The Waters by half a length. Last year’s BEL Gold Cup winner, King Z was struggling to keep up with them, but still had a narrow advantage on Stylish Dime. Boss Spearman and Whipped were each looking for their lanes, and for Boss Spearman, daylight was open close to the rail. Whipped would need to try to go to the outside. Kegger was getting closer to the rest of the pack, and could take advantage of the same lane Boss Spearman would use to get through traffic. Gold Vault would look for outside options. Inoue wasn’t at the back yet, but seemed to be calling it a race entering the stretch.

(Finish- 2:24.51)- Dangerous Fugitive was full of run at the top of the stretch, and was ready to put the field away. With a furlong to go, the race seemed to be in the bag, and he would go on to win by a length and a half. The action for second was much closer, with Boss Spearman moving between horses and Kegger taking his best shot while on the rail. Kegger would get the place photo on Boss Spearman, and it’s about another length to Gold Vault, who narrowly took that spot from Stylish Dime. The rest of the order will read King Z, Whipped, Test The Waters, and Inoue.

About The Winner- Dangerous Fugitive, trained by Night Rider Stables and ridden to victory by K Carmouche, is a seven year old gelding by Lil Pink Panther and is out of the late She Excaped. He was bred by Two Hearts One Love as a third quarter two year old in California, and was acquired by Night Rider Stables, via Mojica Racing for $125.00 in a January 2024 private sale. Congratulations to the connections! The win is his tenth in 35 starts, his fourth stake win and third graded win. His career earnings are now $1,013.39.

— NS

Categories: Grade II, STAKES ARTICLES