Picture: NYRA/SUSIE RAASHER
Grade Stakes Winner Donegal’s momentum We headed briefly on the high of the stretch, however fought for the sport’s victory at $150,000 listed on Friday Bernard Bulkan inside turf inspection of a 1/16 mile for an aged Saratoga horse.
Tom Morley-trained uncle Mo Colt not solely fought again within the race, but in addition from his troubled journey right here on July fifth at his final third-year pupil Kelso, he was positioned as much as the half mile earlier than he stumbled and fell close by. Earlier than Kelso, Donegal’s momentum got here to the form of his profession as a consequence of his freshman victory after successful native poker (G3) in June.
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“He got here again final time with a lower on the again of the best hind pasttern. For my part, the one manner a horse could make a lower there’s if somebody actually will get hit behind him,” Morley stated. “He pulled the hamstring to the best aspect, so it took him slightly time to iron. We despatched him to Belmont. My workforce did an ideal job with him.”
Present Meet Chief rider Irad Ortiz Jr. within the saddle within the afternoon, with Donegal’s momentum popping out of the 4 posts, however took command whereas Longshot Tab Gash and Northern Invaders creeping up by way of the opening quarter mile in 24.56 seconds.
“I used to be in a position to make a lead,” Ortiz stated. “To be sincere, it was a very good tempo and a sluggish tempo for this sort of horse. There was a bonus there after which I simply hung out.”
Donegal’s momentum marks the primary flip and path down the bottom, adopted by the favorite packages from Tabeguache, Northern Invader, Normal Jim and Flavian Prat Plat traded to half a mile at 49.03.
Ortiz sat at Chilly on the second flip, however the Corridor of Famer Joel Rosary was stitching the seams on the invaders of the North, adopted by Donegal’s momentum at 1:13.81.
“I used to be slightly stunned,” Ortiz stated of the short actions of his rival. “After that, he is already there, so I will depart him alone and take a look at to stick with the horse. I belief the horse and he is completed the job.”
Donegal’s momentum as soon as straightened for the house earlier than preventing again, re-claiming the lead simply earlier than the eighth pole. A number of Grade 1 Weiner Program offers had been received in each step, handing over a cussed Northern invader, however Donegal’s momentum was held in entrance of the ultimate 1:43.05.
Northern Invader returned 3/4 size to 3rd place, with Normal Jim finishing Superfecta. Tabeguache concluded the ending course of. The Main scratched.
“When Irad was nonetheless and he put his standard flick down round his neck, I knew he nonetheless had a gear or two for him,” Morley stated. “He is effective on stable floor, so the rain this morning most likely did not assist us, however with a half-mile opening at 49 (seconds), this horse will at all times be exhausting to beat.”
Morey stated a possible begin to Donegal’s momentum would be the Cool Extra Turf Mile (G1) at Keeneland on October 4th.
“I will most likely strive that,” Morley stated. “We wished to run right here at Forstar Durb, however clearly after the final race, we wanted extra time. I’ve at all times claimed that this horse is a grade 1 caliber.
Donegal’s momentum was Del Mar in November, the one top-level begin to date, ending third within the ninth Furlong Hollywood Derby (G1).
Pratt stated the deal for the Chad Brown-trained program is a recreation from a virtually 15-month layoff that dated fifth in Manhattan (G1) final June.
“He ran a very good race,” Pratt stated. “I used to be kicked out of the gate and could not get myself nearer. It was a delicate fraction. He was simply too late.”
Donegal’s momentum is a $375,000 buy at Keeneland’s annual annual sale in September, a falling out of the Malibu Moon Moon Sprint stakes. He improved his document to 12:6-2-1, incomes a $82,500 victory, returning $8.50 with a $2 victory.
