John Velazquez rides 4 winners at Belmont

NEW YORK – Hall of Fame jockey John Velazquez won four races, including both $100,000 stakes on the Independence Day card at Belmont Park.

Velazquez was aboard as Comfort, the 2-1 second choice took the State Dinner by 3 1/4 lengths over 6-5 favorite Touchofstarquality.

Comfort, a 4-year-old trained by Todd Pletcher, ran the 1 1/16 miles in 1:40.76 for his fourth win in the past five starts.

He paid $6.40 to win.

Velazquez scored a 7-1 upset with Giant Run in the Manila for 3-year-olds on the turf.

The chestnut colt trained by Tom Albertrani improved to 3 for 10 with the 1 1/2-length victory over Strike Midnight.

Giant Run covered the mile in 1:32.85, paying $16 to win.