Monday, September 15, 2008

BANROCK TAKES LEAD AND HOLDS ON FOR COLE VICTORY

Nyala Farm’s Banrock found himself in the unlikely role of pacesetter Sunday afternoon at Belmont Park in the 33rd running of the $109,900 Ashley T. Cole Handicap at nine furlongs on the turf, but wound up in more familiar surroundings. Namely, Belmont Park’s winners’ circle.

Favored by the crowd of 4,816, especially with the scratches of Hammock and Al Basha, Banrock took the lead to set a quarter-mile of 26.86, a half of :52.05. The portable rail was out 18 feet on the soft inner turf course, and with the pace as slow as it was, jockey Kent Desormeaux rode Banrock with supreme confidence.


Although Banrock turned back My Man Lars in the lane, a late threat came from Classic Pack and jockey Richard Migliore. Desormeaux had actually stopped riding several jumps before the wire, but Banrock had just enough left to get his nose down for the win in 1:52.89. It was his third straight victory and fourth win in six starts this year.

“I was really worried about the race when (Hammock) scratched,” said winning trainer Tom Bush. “There was no speed at all. He’s been kind of ready to run for 10 or 12 days. It wasn’t exactly the ideal situation for being on the lead. The pace was brutally slow, so it’s not like he did the wrong thing.”

Said Desormeaux: “This horse is usually 10 (lengths) back. We went 52 for the half, so I guess when the confidence level is up, you just happen to be in the right places at all the right times. It’s fun to let it keep rolling.”

Banrock will roll back in the $150,000 Mohawk Handicap for New York-breds, 3 and up, at nine furlongs on the turf on Belmont Park’s New York Showcase Day, Saturday, October 18.. A 5-year-old son of Go for Gin, Banrock was sixth to Al Basha in the Mohawk last year.

My Man Lars held for third, with Stepaside Logic Way, Gimme Credit and Key Event trailing in the Ashley T. Cole.

Also on Sunday, Michael LeCesse and Scott Van Lear’s Tin Cup Chalice, making his first start in open company in the $77,500 Step Nicely Stakes at a mile, set the pace but was caught in the final jump by Famous Patriot to lose by a neck and see his unbeaten streak end at seven.

Despite his gaudy record, the 3-year-old New York-bred Crusader Sword gelding, was the second choice in the wagering behind third-place finisher Check It Twice. He got off well under jockey Pedro Rodriguez and set the pace of 22.99, 46.29 and 1:10.27 and fought hard to the end.

Famous Patriot, trained by Tim Hills and ridden by Javier Castellano, returned $19.20 to win.

ASHLEY T. COLE QUOTES

Winning trainer Tom Bush of favored Banrock (No. 5): “I was really worried about the race, when (Hammock) scratched. There was no speed at all. He’s been kind of ready to run for 10 or 12 days. It wasn’t exactly the ideal situation for being on the lead. The pace was brutally slow, so it’s not like he did the wrong thing. We’ll run back on New York Showcase Day ($150,000 Mohawk Handicap, New York-breds, 3 and up, nine furlongs, turf, Belmont Park, October 18) ”

Winning jockey Kent Desormeaux: “This horse is usually 10 (lengths) back. We went 52 for the half, so I guess when the confidence level is up, you just happen to be in the right places at all the right times. It’s fun to let it keep rolling.”

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