See Head of the Central Highlands sit a pocket trip over the set speed Recognize in $266,813 Sycamore Stakes (G3T) on October 14 at KeenelandCoach Graham Motion saw the action unfold almost exactly as he had imagined on paper.
Rarely do races go perfectly as planned, but Friday’s feature led to a return to the winner’s circle for Fitri Hay’s home breed and a potential bid at the Longines Breeders’ Cup. Turf (G1T), if the 5-year-old son of Gleneagles 1/2 mile out of Sycamore well.
“This is how we see it set up… I can’t believe it turned out exactly the way we saw it, because it doesn’t happen very often,” Motion said. “Honestly, I think they could have gone a little bit faster, but that’s his ride. He doesn’t want to go back too far. I think he appreciates the distance. To be honest. .”
Sycamore is a mainstay for Highland Chief, whose cold caused him to miss Joe Hirsch Turf Classic Stakes (G1T) on October 8 at Aqueduct race track. Instead, fellow Motion students Bye Bye Melvin second run to War Like Goddess there, while Highland Chief went to Kentucky.
The winner of the May 14 Man o’ War Stakes (G1T) 1 3/8 mile ride in Belmont, the flying horse placed a pair of attempts for 4th place in the Resorts World Casino Manhattan Stakes tournament ( G1T) June 11 at Belmont Park and July 31 Bowling Green Stakes (G2T) at Racecourse Saratoga behind him with Friday’s one-way win over a 23-1 shot Temple .
“I was probably surprised when he won Man o’ War, how well he did it,” Motion said. “I think he’s struggled with the heat in the summer, to be honest, and I’ve been really happy with him for the last month or two, until last week when he got this cough that made us I can’t stand it – but it’s probably a blessing in disguise. From a speed standpoint, this race is probably a better fit for this horse.”
The certificate posted the openings of: 25.31, :50.20 and 1:15.49, with Channel Builder second track in the 12-horse field and Highland Chief raced fifth through quarter and third in innings. As the pace began to accelerate rapidly past 1 1/4 mile in 2:05.13, Highland Chief moved into second then easily slid inside the leader and gained the advantage, inching away to widen his opponent. before keeping swaying under the pressure of driving through the late stages. The final time was 2:28.87 on grass.
“(My guide) is simple — we talked about it this morning; (coach) Graham (Movement) and I did,” jockey John Velazquez said. “We looked at the race and there was only one horse that really had the speed and the horse (Channel Producer) Luis (Saez) riding was always close. I just tried to stay right behind the horse, save one. a little ground and hopefully it will run. I was just looking for some space at the 1/4 pole, and when I got it, he was there for me.”
Highland Chief returned $15.32 on a $2 winning ticket at 6-1 odds. Highest title is withdrawn from the list is also eligible after the beginning Another mystery completed the trilogy, passing Channel Maker by one shot in third place.
Bred in Ireland other than Montjeu mare 3 wins in the group Pink Symphony , Highland Chief was the first winner for Gleneagles as a juvenile. Pink Symphony is closely related to the award-winning teenage group Fantasia 3. They are the daughters of the 2-year-old Blue Duster champion, winner of the 1995 Cheveley Park Stakes (G1). Pink Symphony drop a Thunder Night May 6th and have a longing longing by Churchill with Highland Chief’s full 2-year-old brother. From five starts, she has had four winners, with Highland Chief being her top performer and the only ranked winner.
Highland Chief improved his record to 4-2-2 from 15 games, with earnings of $708,300.
“He’s a very good horse in Europe,” says Motion. “He’s a class horse, he’s running with the top horses in Europe, and I thought they wanted to try and find some positions where they could go to do some sword racing. big money with him.”
There’s no bigger money race in the United States this year for the Highland Chief’s division than the $4 million Breeders’ Cup Turf.
“I think if he gets out of it well, he’s right in Keeneland, and they’re going to want to take pictures,” Motion said.
Video: Sycamore S. (G3T)
