Wicked Strong favored in Jockey Club Gold Cup

NEW YORK (AP) Wicked Strong, V.E. Day and Tonalist, winners of the top 3-year-old stakes in New York, step up to face older runners Saturday in the $1 million Jockey Club Gold Cup at Belmont Park.

At stake: a starting spot in the $5 million Breeders' Cup Classic on Nov. 1 at Santa Anita. The Jockey Cup Gold Cup is a ''Win and You're In'' race, insuring the victor a fees-paid berth in the richest race in North America.

The Gold Cup is the main event on a card featuring six stakes worth a combined $3.4 million.

Wicked Strong, winner of the Wood Memorial at Aqueduct in April, is the 3-1 favorite from post No. 3 for trainer Jimmy Jerkens, who also sends out V. E. Day at 5-1.