Ottoman Fleet handily capturing the Fort Marcy. (Susie Raisher)
NYRA Notes
ELMONT, N.Y. – Godolphin’s Ottoman Fleet (GB) and Warren Point (GB) worked as a pair on Sunday morning at Belmont Park, six days ahead of their collective date with the Grade 1, $750,000 Resorts World Casino Manhattan over 10 furlongs on the inner turf. The Charlie Appleby trainees breezed five furlongs in 1:00.88.
Warren Point, with jockey Richie Mullen up, worked to the inside of Ottoman Fleet [Noel Garbutt], maintaining a slight advantage until the stretch, with the pair completing the work in closer order. Warren Point was approximately a head to the good of his stablemate at the wire.
A video of the work was sent by on-site head travelling lad Chris Connett to Appleby, whose passport renewal process will prevent him from attending the Belmont Stakes Racing Festival.
Warren Point exits a close fifth as the 3/5 favorite in the 11-furlong Grade 1 Man o’ War on May 13, while Ottoman Fleet was a decisive winner at even-money of the nine-furlong Grade 2 Fort Marcy on May 6.
“The breeze was sort of set up and went as we hoped for, with Richie leading the way on Warren Point, Noel on Ottoman Fleet and they picked it up well into the straight,” Appleby said. “I am pleased with the work, and it seems that—most importantly—they have both come forward from their runs.
“Ottoman Fleet definitely has progressed and right now he’s just enjoying his life out there. The nice flat track suits him and it’s similar to Dubai, which he enjoyed,” added Appleby. “It appears Warren Point has come forward, as well, for the run and I’m very happy with him. Richie gets on with him well and will ride him on Saturday.”
Two of the five representatives of Godolphin’s Moulton Paddocks, they are joined at Belmont by Group 3-winning stayer Siskany (GB), three-time Group/graded winner With The Moonlight (IRE) and G1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf runner-up Silver Knott (GB), who ran third in Saturday’s Grade 2 Penning Ridge here.
Siskany and With The Moonlight head to Friday’s Grade 2, $250,000 Belmont Gold Cup and Grade 1, $500,000 New York, respectively, while Silver Knott exited his third in the Pennine Ridge at 3/2 favoritism in good order.
“I was pleased with Silver Knott’s run,” Appleby said. “He’s just got to learn to hit the gates better so he can put himself into a good position before he’s asked. Otherwise, when he’s too far back, he gets keen. I’m expecting him to improve and really hopeful he’ll learn a little bit more. He will stay there for the Belmont Derby and I believe the step up to 10 furlongs suits him better, especially on pedigree. I know he’s a Lope de Vega and they’re usually soft ground horses, but I’ve had great luck with them over quick ground, which should be to his advantage.”
Appleby’s amplified influence on New York racing is likely to continue throughout the summer. Per the conditioner, Ottoman Fleet and Warren Point will likely go home to England after their runs, while With The Moonlight – pending a “top-three finish” is possible to stay for the Grade 1, $500,000 Diana, a nine-furlong turf route older fillies and mares on July 15 at Saratoga.
A pair of Grade 1 winners are set to invade as well with Summer winner Mysterious Night (IRE) being aimed toward the Grade 3, $250,000 Manila, a one-mile turf test for sophomores on July 7 at Belmont, while Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint champ Mischief Magic (IRE) will have the Grade 3, $175,000 Quick Call presented by the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation on July 16 on his docket.
“We are hoping to get both Mysterious Night and Mischief Magic back winning over there,” Appleby said. “Mischief Magic will have a run most likely in the (Group 1) Commonwealth Cup (June 23) at Ascot before that.”
Eternal Hope (ON), winner of Lingfield’s Listed Oaks Trial Fillies’ Stakes and a disappointing seventh in Friday’s Group 1 Epsom Oaks, will point toward the Grade 1, $500,000 Fasig-Tipton Belmont Oaks on July 8.
“I am hoping she warrants an invite on her Lingfield Oaks Trial win and we’re hoping for a better run on a flat track over there, which should suit,” Appleby said.
