Measured Time takes the Grade 1 1 million Resorts World Casino Manhattan. (Janet Napolitano)
Belmont Stakes Racing Festival Notes
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – After a dominant winning performance by Godolphin homebred and dual Grade/Group 1 winner Measured Time in the $1 million Resorts World Casino Manhattan, Charlie Appleby and team have reported that all is well with the son of Frankel and the remainder of the Belmont Stakes Racing Festival team.
Under William Buick, the half-brother to 2022 Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Turf winner and Rebel’s Romance led home a 1-2 finish for the ‘Boys in Blue’ and trainer Charlie Appleby, as Nations Pride and Frankie Dettori rallied for the place spot.
“All good this morning,” confirmed Chris Connett, head assistant and traveling lad for Moulton Paddocks-based Appleby. The 10-time Breeders’ Cup-winning Appleby left Upstate for his Newmarket, UK base along with Buick on Saturday evening.
Before departing, Appleby gave a quick update on the tentative plans for many of his Greentree-based U.S. satellite yard. Rebel’s Romance, a winner of five Group/Grade 1s in four different countries, will head to Saratoga in early August for the Grade 1 Resorts World Casino Sword Dancer on August 24.
Measured Time will be considered for a run in the Grade 1 Arlington Million on August 10 at Colonial Downs and a possible year-end goal of the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Turf, along with his star sibling. Nations Pride may head to Kentucky for his next run, with options at both Ellis Park and Kentucky Downs for his 10-furlong penchant.
Grade 1 winner Mysterious Night, a gaining and arguably unlucky second in the Grade 3, $350,000 Poker on Saturday, will be considered for the Grade 3, $175,000 Kelso on July 13, as well as the Grade 1, $500,000 Fourstardave Handicap, where he could join Breeders’ Cup Mile champ Master of The Seas, who has long been pointed to that ‘Win and You’re In’ affair.
Silver Knott has recovered well from his dominant display in the Grade 2 Man o’ War last month and will be kept at the slightly longer distances that have proven to his liking. He points to the Grade 2, $250,000 Bowling Green on July 28 over 11 furlongs.
Sophomore turf sprint filly Star of Mystery, a good third in the G1 Jaipur after acting up badly before the race, will point to the Grade 2, $300,000 Troy on August 3. She will be joined by 2022 Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint winner Mischief Magic, who rallied from last to finish a gaining fifth in the Jaipur.
Fellow 3-year-olds Legend of Time, winner of the Grade 2 Pennine Ridge, and Listed Jumeirah 1000 Guineas winner Cinderella Dream remain on schedule for the Grade 1 Belmont Derby Invitational and Grade 1 Belmont Oaks Invitational on July 6 at The Big A.
Plans for Grade 3 Sycamore winner Bold Act, Grade 3 Arlington winner Ottoman Fleet, Grade 1 Turf Classic runner-up Naval Power and 2023 Grade 2 Belmont Gold Cup winner Siskany are still fluid within the depths of Appleby’s talent pool.
