HRI Edited Release –
JOCKEY CLUB GOLD CUP
W.S. Farish’s Code of Honor was once again part of a dramatic ending that saw a stewards decision change the final order of finish in a prestigious Grade 1.
Code of Honor finished second under John Velazquez, a nose behind Vino Rosso – who completed the 1 ¼ miles in 2:00.30, before the stewards elevated Code of Honor to first due to interference in Saturday’s 101st running of the $750,000 Jockey Club Gold Cup at Belmont Park.
Irad Ortiz, Jr. moved Vino Rosso out from the rail, bumping Code of Honor multiple times in the stretch and the stewards disqualified Vino Rosso from first to second.
In May, the Shug McGaughey-trained Code of Honor finished third in the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs but was elevated to second behind Country House when Maximum Security, who had crossed the wire first, was disqualified for interference.
BELDAME STAKES
Midnight Bisou, owned by Bloom Racing Stable, Madaket Stable and Allen Racing, extended her sensational 4-year-old campaign to 7-for-7 when she drew away from Wow Cat in the final furlong to win Saturday’s Grade 2, $300,000 Beldame. The Steve Asmussen trainee was ridden by John Velazquez and won by 3 1/4 lengths, getting the 1 1/8-miles in 1:48.86.
VOSBURGH STAKES
Raymond Mamone’s Imperial Hint, favored at 1-5, won a dramatic stretch battle with Firenze Fire to capture Saturday’s Grade 1, $300,000 Vosburgh at Belmont Park.
Firenze Fire, with Irad Ortiz, Jr. up, put a head in front in the stretch but Imperial Hint battled back with the pair trading leads to the finish. Imperial Hint, under a vigorous ride by Javier Castellano along the rail, put a nose in front on the wire and completed six furlongs in 1:08.35.
The win also earned Imperial Hint, trained by Luis Carvajal, Jr., an all-expenses paid berth to the Grade 1, $2 million Breeders’ Cup Sprint on November 2 at Santa Anita Park.
PILGRIM STAKES
Jeff Drown and Don Rachel’s Structor, patiently piloted by Irad Ortiz, Jr., stalked and pounced to a head score in Saturday’s Grade 3, $200,000 Pilgrim over the Widener turf course. A determined Structor, trained by Chad Borwn, prevailed over a surging Andesite in 1:41.46.
-HRI Staff
