2019 Man o’ War Stakes Study Guide
May 09, 2019
A talented field of nine will travel 1 3/8 miles on the Belmont Park inner turf in Saturday’s $700,000 Man o’ War Stakes (G1). The lucrative grass event features a pair of European imports from the mighty Aidan O’Brien stable, and it appears to be a very good betting event with multiple legitimate contenders.
Here is the field:
Hunting Horn Career Racing Stats
15 Starts
2 Wins
2 Place
5 Show
Total Career Earnings: $734,551
Top BRIS Speed rating (97) for third-placing in W. L. McKnight Stakes (G3)
Owner: Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith, Mrs. John Magnier
Breeder: Lynch-Bages and Rhinestone Bloodstock (IRE)
Trainer: Aidan O’Brien
Jockey: Michael Hussey
Sire: Camelot
Dam: Mora Bai
Color: Bay
This Group 3 star makes his first run following a fourth-place finish in the Dubai Sheema Classic (G1) for Aidan O’Brien. The four-year-old colt has experience on the Belmont Park turf following his third-place run in the 2018 Belmont Derby (G1). The well-bred bay will be forwardly placed from his rail post in this competitive event.
Zulu Alpha Career Racing Stats
24 Starts
8 Wins
3 Place
5 Show
Total Career Earnings: $495,397
Top BRIS Speed rating (101) in W. L. McKnight Stakes (G3) win
Owner: Michael M. Hui
Breeder: Calumet Farm (KY)
Trainer: Mike Maker
Jockey: Javier Castellano
Sire: Street Cry
Dam: Zori
Color: Dark Bay
This former claimer has evolved into one of the top turf stayers in the United States since the fall and rates a big chance in this spot. The gelded six-year-old comes in with two previous graded tallies this campaign, and he was a close third in the Elkhorn Stakes (G2) at Keeneland most recently. This Kentucky-bred will make his Belmont Park debut while receiving a rider change to Javier Castellano.
Village King Career Racing Stats
12 Starts
4 Wins
0 Place
4 Show
Total Career Earnings: $394,694
Top BRIS Speed rating (100) for third-placing in Pan American Stakes (G2)
Owner: Angels of Catalina Inc.
Breeder: Santa Maria de Araras (ARG)
Trainer: Todd Pletcher
Jockey: John Velazquez
Sire: Campanologist
Dam: Villard
Color: Bay
This Argentine import ran his best race since coming to the United States when third in the Pan American Stakes (G2) at Gulfstream Park last out. The Group 1 hero is the inside pace of the field and he shows a pair of solid morning breezes on the turf in advance of this assignment. Regular rider John Velazquez will be in the controls once again.
Arklow Career Racing Stats
18 Starts
5 Wins
3 Place
1 Show
Total Career Earnings: $1,073,382
Top BRIS Speed rating (105) in 2018 Kentucky Turf Cup (G3) win
Owner: Donegal Racing, Joseph Bulger and Peter Coneway
Breeder: John R. Penn and Frank Penn (KY)
Trainer: Brad Cox
Jockey: Florent Geroux
Sire: Arch
Dam: Unbridled Empire
Color: Bay
This win contender from the potent Brad Cox barn unseated his rider in a recent allowance race at Keeneland when making his 2019 debut. The five-year-old millionaire was fourth in the Breeders’ Cup Turf (G1) in his four-year-old finale, and he has moved forward since being stretched out to marathon distances on the lawn. The Kentucky-bred will never be far from the early tempo under regular pilot Florent Geroux.
Magic Wand Career Racing Stats
12 Starts
2 Wins
3 Place
1 Show
Total Career Earnings: $1,633,298
Top BRIS Speed rating (103) for second in Pegasus World Cup Turf Invitational (G1)
Owner: Michal Tabor, Derrick Smith, Mrs. John Magnier
Breeder: Ecurie des Monceaux and Skymarc Farm Inc. (IRE)
Trainer: Aidan O’Brien
Jockey: Wayne Lordan
Sire: Galileo
Dam: Prudenzia
Color: Bay
This classy import is the lone filly in the field and the horse to beat. The Group 2 heroine has three times been runner-up at the Group or Grade 1 level, and has run very well in both prior assignments in the states. The Aidan O’Brien pupil was a creditable fourth in the Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf (G1), which preceded a runner-up performance in the Pegasus World Turf Cup Invitational (G1) at Gulfstream Park . The Irish-bred four-year-old will be tough to upend with her best showing.
Focus Group Career Racing Stats
12 Starts
5 Wins
0 Place
3 Show
Total Career Earnings: $438,164
Top BRIS Speed rating (105) for third-placing in 2018 Canadian International Stakes (G1)
Owner: Klaravich Stables and William Lawrence
Breeder: Dixiana Farms LLC (KY)
Trainer: Chad Brown
Jockey: Irad Ortiz Jr.
Sire: Kitten’s Joy
Dam: Cocktail Hour
Color: Dark Bay
This five-year-old was a winner in his 2019 debut when gamely rallying late to capture the Pan American Stakes (G2) at Gulfstream Park. The Kentucky-bred dark bay has arguably the best turn of foot in the field, but he has never done his best work at Belmont Park, with just a third-place effort from four prior tries at this venue. Irad Ortiz Jr. retains the mount and will try to run them all down inside the final furlong.
Epical Career Racing Stats
11 Starts
4 Wins
2 Place
1 Show
Total Career Earnings: $279,980
Top BRIS Speed rating (112) in San Luis Rey Stakes (G2) victory
Owner: Deron Pearson
Breeder: Jamm Ltd. (KY)
Trainer: James Cassidy
Jockey: Tyler Baze
Sire: Uncle Mo
Dam: Klondike Hills
Color: Bay
This West Coast invader earned a whopping 112 BRIS Speed figure for his front-running victory in the San Luis Rey Stakes (G2) at Santa Anita Park . The peaking gelding has reached new heights since stretching to similar distances on the turf, and he comes in with a trio of wins and a close second in his last four turf tests. The son of Uncle Mo lands in a field with a lot of pace but he still could be the one to catch turning for home.
Channel Maker Career Racing Stats
23 Starts
4 Wins
4 Place
3 Show
Total Career Earnings: $1,542,108
Top BRIS Speed rating (106) for second in 2017 Hollywood Derby (G1)
Owner: Wachtel Stable, Gary Barber and R. A. Hill Stable
Breeder: Tall Oaks Farm (ON)
Trainer: Bill Mott
Jockey: Joel Rosario
Sire: English Channel
Dam: In Return
Color: Chestnut
The Grade 1 victor and Canadian champion earned his biggest triumph to date, the 2018 Joe Hirsch Turf Classic (G1), on this lawn and could be ready for a big performance making a third run off the layoff. The gelded five-year-old from the Bill Mott barn had a nice prep for this race when a close fourth at Gulfstream Park most recently, and he shows two morning drills on the dirt at Belmont in preparation of this run. Joel Rosario will guide the versatile Ontario-bred.
Kulin Rock Career Racing Stats
14 Starts
2 Wins
2 Place
4 Show
Total Career Earnings: $142,852
Top BRIS Speed rating (93) for second in allowance race at Gulfstream Park
Owner: Three Diamonds Farm
Breeder: J. Bonner Young (KY)
Trainer: Mike Maker
Jockey: Kendrick Carmouche
Sire: Lonhro
Dam: Miracle Moment
Color: Dark Bay
This longshot in the cast draws widest for his Grade 1 debut. The gelded five-year-old comes in with two solid races going long on the green in succession, including a third-place finish in the Mac Diarmida Stakes (G2) at Gulfstream Park two prior. One of two in the field for Mike Maker, the Kentucky-bred is a one-run closer in a field with a plethora of speed which will aid his chances. Kendrick Carmouche inherits the mount.
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