CAN’THELPBELIEVING LOOKS FOR FIRST WIN IN 2016 IN UNITED NATIONS

Can’thelpbelieving jumps back into graded stakes company for the second straight time when he takes his spot in the gate with nine rivals in Sunday’s Grade 1, $300,000 United Nations, going a mile and three-eighths on the turf.

“I’m very happy with how he’s doing,” said trainer H. Graham Motion. “He ran very well last time out and he has always been a consistent horse.”

Owned by Albert Frassetto, the 5-year-old gelding by Duke of Marmalade out of the Soviet Star mare Embark is coming off a third-place finish in the Grade 1 Man o’ War at Belmont Park on May 14, behind two foes who return in the U.N., Wake Forest and Money Multiplier.

Can’thelpbelieving has worked three times since placing in the Man o’ War, all at Fair Hill over the Tapeta training track. The latest was on June 24 where he went six furlongs in 1:14 2/5.

Can’thelpbelieving has also placed in each of his last five races dating back to his last trip to the winners circle in 2015 when he took a $25,000 allowance optional claiming event in late-running fashion by a length and a half.

“I love the post position,” said Motion when asked about breaking from the rail. “In these kinds of races, you would like to save ground wherever you can.”

Along with the top two finishers in the Man o’ War, Chad Brown sends out Mr Maybe who is coming off a third place finish in the first start of his 2016 campaign in the Grade 2 Mac Diarmida Stakes at Gulfstream Park. Prior to that start, Mr Maybe took the Grade 3 Red Smith Handicap on Nov. 14 at Aqueduct.

World Approval, from Mark Casse’s barn, has placed in three straight graded stakes and has two Grade 3 wins to his name, both in 2015, the Saranac at Saratoga and the American Derby at Arlington Park.

Triple Threat, for Bill Mott, won his only start over the Monmouth Park turf course in last year’s Grade 2 Monmouth Stakes.

Joe Bravo will ride Can’thelpbelieving for the first time in his career on Sunday.

“I’ll leave it up to Joe (Bravo) to see where he is placed,” said Motion. “I don’t think he’s just a one dimensional horse.”

The United Nations, the first of two Grade 1’s this summer at Monmouth Park with the other being the betfair.com Haskell Invitational on July 31, is set as race 9 on Sunday’s 10-race card. Gates open at 11:30 a.m., with first post scheduled for 12:50 p.m.

FULL SLATE OF EVENTS, GIVEAWAYS SET CONTINUE FOURTH OF JULY WEEKEND

Independence Day weekend festivities continue through Fourth of July at Monmouth Park with a full schedule of events and giveaways for the whole family.

On Sunday, Monmouth Park will have an American Pharoah Canvas Print Giveawaycommemorating the 2015 Haskell winner and the first Triple Crown winner since 1978. Monmouth will also be running the first of two Grade 1 races this summer on Sunday, the $300,000 United Nations Stakes on the turf.

There will be a special racing card on Monday, July 4, with the spotlight falling on the fillies & mares in the $100,000 Lady’s Secret Stakes.

Both Sunday and Monday, patrons can enjoy Family Fun Day featuring pony rides, face painters and bounce house. On Sunday, the Rory Daniels Band will play live “On the Green.”

Gates will open at 11:30 a.m. each day this weekend, with first post scheduled for 12:50 p.m.

MONMOUTH/WOODBINE HANDICAPPING CONTEST SET FOR SUNDAY

Seats at the 2017 DRF/NTRA National Handicapping Championship are on the line in Sunday’s Monmouth/Woodbine Handicapping Contest.

Participants must bet at least 5 races at each Monmouth and Woodbine with win, place, and/or show wagering only. Highlighting the mandatory races that must be bet throughout the day include the Grade 1 United Nations at Monmouth and the Grade 1 Queen’s Plate at Woodbine.

Entry fee is $250, with the top two finishers grabbing spots in the 2017 NHC and top prize of $20,000.