Red-Hot Flavien Prat pilots Cugino (#5) to a close victory. (Adam Coglianese/NYRA)
By Brian Bohl
OZONE PARK, N.Y. – Hall of Fame Sportswriter Red Smith covered many memorable events and athletes in his distinguished career. Jockey Flavien Prat’s hot streak would likely have ranked among those whose notable achievements were highlighted by the scribe, as Prat piloted Cugino to a thrilling victory by a nose over Common Defense in Sunday’s Grade 2, $250,000 Red Smith on final day of the Belmont at the Big A fall meet.
Prat won six straight races from Race 2 – 7, including an additional stakes score aboard Bishops Bay in the Grade 3 Forty Niner as part of a record seven-win day. He stayed patient as Cugino broke sharp in the 1 3/8-mile marathon on the inner turf, tracking in second position as Common Defense led the five-horse field through easy fractions of 24.31 seconds for a quarter-mile, 50.90 for the half, 1:17.01 for three-quarters and 1:41.64 for a mile over firm going.
Cugino, the even-money favorite, stayed on equal terms with Common Defense, under rider Christopher Elliott, when straightened for home. With Common Defense unyielding near the rail, Cugino got his nose down from the outside, hitting the wire in 2:17.13 to earn Hall of Fame trainer Shug McGaughey his record-extending sixth career Red Smith win.
Common Defense, trained by Kenny McPeek, cleared Desvio by two lengths for runner-up status. Fleetfoot and Limited Liability completed the order of finish. Dancin in Da’nile, who ran third in an optional claimer today at Woodbine, was scratched.
“I was very happy with my trip,” Prat said. He’s [Cugino] been running short so the distance could have been a question mark [for Cugino] and I thought it could be better if we turned it into a sprint and that’s what happened. It was a good run.”
Cugino, owned by West Point Thoroughbreds and Jimmy Kahig, improved to 3-for-4 this year and won for the second straight time, building on a one-length win in the Red Bank in September at Monmouth Park.
“I’m very pleased with how hard he tried,” McGaughey said. “That was the first time we got to stretch him out that far. Whether he wants to run this far or not, I don’t know, but he did it today. He is just a nice horse. He likes being a horse. He wants to be a little tough if you see us saddling and stuff, but that is just part of him. We are pleased to get this stakes.”
Cugino returned $4.36 on $2 win bet. The 4-year-old Twirling Candy colt improved his career bankroll to $761,410 and is 6-4-0 in 13 career starts.
“I thought he’d be in front easier,” McGaughey said. “I told Prat, ‘if no one else wants the lead, go, if he breaks good.’ I was surprised that other horse was up there.”
Prat, who already secured a memorable weekend with victories in the Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile [Nysos] and Filly and Mare Sprint [Splendora] yesterday at Del Mar, shrugged off a cross-country flight and continued to add his name to the New York record books to help close the fall meet with aplomb.
“When I came here today, I thought I had some good mounts, but it’s happened before where you think you’re going to win a few and get nothing. The horses have been running well and showing up – it’s great,” Prat said.
Common Defense, who was graded stakes-placed on dirt before switching to turf this year, has finished in the money in all five starts on grass [2-2-1].
“Tough beat – it happens,” Elliott said. “My saddle slipped forward which didn’t help and my horse was wanting to lean and lug out a little bit, but he ran a good race. He fought back and was trying really hard.”
Live racing resumes Thursday on Opening Day of the fall meet at Aqueduct Racetrack with a nine-race card, featuring the rescheduled Listed $150,000 Tempted in Race 2 and the Listed $150,000 Chelsey Flower in Race 6. First post is 12:10 p.m. Eastern. The 27-day Aqueduct fall meet will run from November 6 through Wednesday, December 31.
