There had been rain in New York City all week long but the rain god decided to take a break late
Friday afternoon. It was a pleasant day in New York on Saturday. The track began drying up as the day progressed. As the horses went to the gate for the
US$1 million Belmont Stakes, also called the 'Test of Champions,' the conditions were near perfect.
Jazil was at 5 to 1 at the end of Friday's wagering. He drifted to 6-1 as post time
approached. Bluegrass Cat received a lot of support. Sunriver, on the basis of his Peter Pan success, was strongly fancied by some. Steppenwolfer, an ultra consistent horse, was around 9-2 and there were many who felt that the 12-furlong distance would be Steppenwolfer's cup of tea. Bob And John, the Wood Memorial winner but a failure in the Derby, was fancied as well.
A backmarker early, Jazil began threading his way though the 12-horse field. At the halfway point, the 18-year-old Fernando Jara, Jazil's rider, found himself in mid-division. As horses outside of him began to fall by the
wayside, Jara was able to angle out with three furlongs to go. He was three and four-wide as he turned for home. Bluegrass Cat, in the hands of John Velasquez who was returning to riding after a spill in late April, had been at or near the helm from the start and had taken over the running at that point. With Jazil joining issue, the duel began in earnest. Sunriver was prominent but it was becoming clear that the winner would be either Bluegrass Cat or Jazil. Going for left-handed whipping to ensure that he would not cause interference to Bluegrass Cat who was inside, Fernando Jara found a heartening response from Jazil. Inside the last 100 yards, Jazil pulled clear of Bluegrass Cat. Sunriver stayed on to take the show (third) spot.
The time was 2.27.81 for the 12-furlong trip. Jerry Bailey, Hall of Fame jockey and analyst for ABC Sports, said that jockey Jara rode as cool a race as he had ever seen. Fernando Jara said, " I lost an iron leaving the gate, I was unbalanced. I was worried because I did not get a clean break. In the stretch, I knew I was on the best horse."
Kiaran McLaughlin, Jazil's trainer, was asked if he would be ready for a match race with Bernardini, the Preakness winner. "I am going to celebrate this victory. No other plans," he answered.
The Preakness and the Belmont Stakes have been won by horses owned by the Dubai Royal family. After freezing operations for about a
month in Europe, the Godolphin establishment is getting back into the fray. There were three winners at Belmont Pak on Saturday. At Goodwood in England, Frankie Dettori got a five-bagger that included victories for the Dubai family. With the stable coming out of the slump, the Royal Ascot meeting that begins on June 20 should see the Godolphin runners contend in serious fashion in many of the Graded events at the Berkshire track.
"I was confident that Jara would ride a good race. When Jazil got in the clear for the stretch drive, I knew we had the race won," McLaughlin exulted.
Jazil returned $14.40, $6.70 and $4.70 and the Perfecta with Bluegrass Cat was worth $89.00.
Jazil is by Seeking The Gold, whose sire is Mr. Prospector. Jazil's mother is Better Than Honour who is by Deputy Minister. Jazil was a $725,000 yearling purchase.
The $400,000 Manhattan Handicap, a Grade I event on turf, was in the undercard. Caicque and Edgar Prado led, then lay second, led again for good in the final turn and beat back fierce challenges from Relaxed Gesture and Grey Swallow. English Channel had beaten Cacique at Churchill Downs on Derby day and disputed the lead with Cacique for the most part only to
weaken ever so slightly inside the final furlong.
Gorella lay last in the four-horse field in the $300,000 Just A Game Handicap (Grade 2) and moved only in the last quarter of a mile. Pommes Frites had taken what looked like a safe lead. Gorella closed relentlessly and got up in the waning yards.
