The Metropolitan Handicap – GI (BC)
$1,000.00 – For Three Year Olds And Upward
1 Mile – Dirt
Saratoga – June 6, 2026

The Metropolitan Handicap is one of the races on the calendar that carry so much history and prestige that any competitor worth their salt has it on their bucket list as a race they dream of winning. Most mortals want to just win it. Mb Stables seems to be on another realm so maybe finishing 1-2-3 was on their bucket list because that is exactly how the three Mb Stables entries crossed the wire at Saratoga on Saturday. We had a premonition this would be the result as all three entries were solid and they came through in the end taking all the major checks and the trophy home. 

Winner: Edward The Good (Mb Stables/J.R. Velasquez) Advisor/Bye Bye Beautiful (Pumba) Had the disadvantage of starting on the turn from post nine and having to stay five wide around that first turn he was able to make the lead entering the backstretch. Was the clear leader and was allowed to lead unchallenged going into the final turn where the rest of the field began to try to engage and rally but the winner never appeared threatened at any stage. This was a decisive win that should concern future rivals as he showed a new dimension going wire to wire for the first time in the five year old’s twenty-three race career. 

Second: Agent Zero (Mb Stables/A. Fresu) Great State/Exploration (All Out Blitz) Broke well and was taken off the pace by jockey Fresu and settled midpack on the rail during that early going. He still had five to six lengths to make up on the leader at the top of the stretch but found an opening on the rail that allowed him clear running to find his best stride late just nipping stablemate Obi Wan at the wire for the place. 

Third: Obi Wan (Mb Stables/P. Lopez) Conquest/Chasing The Moon (Chase My Tail Lights) With the race starting on the turn he had the advantage of the rail position and made good use of it gaining a stalking position trailing leader and stablemate and pacesetter Edward The Good the entire way without ever seriously being able to threaten that one. Was just beat at the wire for second by his other stablemate who came up the rail late. Showed some guts to stubbornly hold onto third ahead of hard charging Louisiana Asset on his outside. 

Fourth: Louisiana Asset (Big Jd Racing/B. Curtis) Was allowed to drop back to last place early and trailed the leader and eventual winner by eight lengths at one point. Rallied wide around the turn and came on like a freight train late but just did not have enough ground to challenge for the win. A stride or two short of a better placing. 

Preview Pick: Edward The Good – Winner. 

This was the fourth win in The Metropolitan Handicap for Mb Stables. The barn finished 1-2 in 2013 thanks to Jesse James and Iron Kaki but this was the first time they accomplished a 1-2-3. Jockey J.R. Velasquez has now reached The Metropolitan winner’s circle three times. With this victory, Edward The Good sees his lifetime bankroll increased to $3,664.42. Should his connections choose, there is a spot now waiting for him in the BC Dirt Mile as the race was a “win and you’re in” contest.

Categories: Grade I, STAKES ARTICLES