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Red Rocks defeats Curlin in Man O' War Stakes!
Red Rocks, a hot invader from Britain, threw a damper on the grass debut of 2007 Horse of the Year Curlin by emerging the victor in the Grade IT, $500,000 Man O' War Stakes on Saturday (July 12) at Belmont Park racecourse July 12.
Red Rocks has thus emerged from recent obscurity by defeating Curlin, who has been eyeing the Prix d' l'Arc de Triomphe in France. Red Rocks was last in fans' consciousness when he prevailed in the 2006 Breeders' Cup Turf at Churchill Downs racecourse. He came into the Man O' War Stakes after placing sixth in the Coronation Cup at England 's Epsom Downs racecourse just five weeks ago.
Curlin came in second while Better Talk Now, winner of the 2005 Breeders Cup Turf, was third. This was the first time that three Breeders Cup winners started in the same race since the 1993 Breeders' Cup Sprint.
The race started with Sudan and Mission Approved setting a fairly rapid pace as both was in charge of the game as they headed into the turn. Both horses had established a more than a seven-length gap between them and the rest of the field at this point.
As they reached the final turn at Belmont Park racecourse, Sudan went ahead of Mission Approved as he completed the mile in 1:35.90.
At the top of the lane, Sudan was about two lengths ahead of the pack, but Red Rocks, under Robby Albarado, and Curlin under Javier Castellano, executed furious closing kicks. Red Rocks was not to be denied this re-emergence into the limelight as he crossed the finish line first, followed by Curlin.
"That was a dream trip for my horse," Castellano said. "I sat behind the speed, made my move and then waited for the late kick of Curlin. I didn't see Curlin for awhile but because I had such a great trip, I thought I would be able to hold on."
Trained by Brian Meehan, Red Rocks added blinkers for his run at Belmont Park racecourse, which helped him relax after showing rankness in the Coronation June 6.
Red Rocks paid $14.40, $4 and $2.90 for his Saturday win at the Man O' War Stakes at Belmont Park racecourse. Curlin returned $2.50 and $2.10 while Better Talk Now paid $2.70 to show. |
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