Beach Patrol, seen here running second to Talismatic in the 2017 Breeders’ Cup Turf (G1) is the headliner in Saturday’s $1 million Manhattan (G1) at Belmont Park. . (Photo by Kazushi Ishida/Eclipse Sportswire/Breeders Cup)
Trainer Chad Brown has dominated the $1 million Woodford Reserve Manhattan (G1) in recent years and sends out a pair of runners that may end up the two betting favorites on Saturday afternoon in this year’s edition.
The Manhattan goes off as the race before Justify goes for his Triple Crown bid in the $1.5 million Belmont Stakes (G1).
Brown has won the Manhattan in four of the last six years including three years in a row from 2014 to 2016 with Real Solution, Slumber and Flintshire. He also saddled 2014 winner Desert Blanc.
The reigning Eclipse Award winner for outstanding trainer will send out 5-2 morning line favorite Beach Patrol and second choice Robert Bruce (3-1).
Beach Patrol came off a six-month layoff and caught yielding footing in the Old Forrester Turf Classic (G1) at Churchill Downs on Derby Day where he was beaten just three-quarters of a length to Yoshida. The son of Lemon Drop Kid won the Arlington Million (G1) and Joe Hirsch Turf Classic (G1) last year and was only beaten a half-length in a runner up finish in the Breeders’ Cup Turf (G1).
His stablemate Robert Bruce won four Group 1 races in his native Chile and then shipped to the U.S. and landed with Brown. In his U.S. debut he won the Ft. Marcy (G3) off a 6 ½ month layoff.
There are 10 stakes on today’s 13-race card at Belmont Park including three Breeders’ Cup Challenge Win and You’re In races.
Let’s head out to Belmont Park for Saturday’s featured race of the day:
Belmont Park Race 10 The Manhattan G1 (Post time 5:40 ET)
#10 Beach Patrol 5-2
#8 Sadler’s Joy 8-1
#3 Hi Happy 7-2
#1 Robert Bruce 3-1
Analysis: Beach Patrol was a game second last out in the Old Forester Turf Classic (G1) on yielding footing on Derby Day in his first start off a six-month layoff, beaten 3/4 of a length for the top spot by the Mott trained Yoshida. Our top pick had a strong ’17 campaign winning the Arlington Million (G1) and the Joe Hirsch Turf Classic (G1) and then running a game second in the Breeders’ Cup Turf (G1), beaten just a half-length by Talismatic. The Brown trainee has been a bit better on firmer footing which it looks as if he should get today. He should get a good tracking trip sitting just off the pace and the 1/4 miles may be his best distance.
Sadler’s Joy made a good late rally to finish in the runner up spot ion the Man o’ War (G1) last out over good ground here at 1 3/8 miles. He was beaten a half-length by Hi Happy while 4 1/2 lengths clear of the rest of the field, He was third in this race last year and won the Sword Dancer (G1). He needs pace which it looks as if he is going to get today. He gets a jock switch here to Castellano who last rode him in a close up third in the Bowling Green (G2) last summer at the Spa.
Hi Happy was the ’15 Triple Crown winner in Argentina and after losing his first four starts in the U.S. landed with Pletcher. He was a good third behind repeat winner Heart to Heart in the Gulfstream Park Turf (G1) in his first start for the barn and then won the Pan American (G2) and Man o’ War (G1) here in his last outing. The switch to Pletcher and Saez has suited this guy and it looks as if the cut back to 1 1/4 miles fits him.
Wagering
WIN: #10 to win at 5-2 or better.
EX: 8,10 / 1,3,8,10
TRI: 8,10 / 1,3,8,10 / 1,3,8,10,11
