Belmont: Saginaw remains sharp by taking Promenade All

Adam Coglianese/NYRA

Saginaw, ridden by David Cohen, wins for the eighth time in his last nine starts in the Promenade All.

Saginaw won for the eighth time in his last nine starts when he held off a slow-starting Lunar Victory to win Sunday’s $85,000 Promenade All Stakes by one-half length at Belmont Park.

Stalking the pacesetting Johannesburg Smile through a sharp half-mile in 46.18 seconds, Saginaw, under David Cohen, poked a head in front at the three-eighths pole, opened up a sizeable advantage in midstretch and held off Lunar Victory to win by a half-length.

Lunar Victory, who had won five consecutive races entering the Promenade All, bobbled leaving the gate, costing him some early position.

Saginaw, a 6-year-old gelding by Peruvian, covered a mile 1:34.29 and returned $6.70 as the second choice.

Saginaw, claimed for $30,000 in early March by David Jacobson and Drawing Away Stable, has now won four New York-bred stakes and seven of eight since the claim. His only loss came when he tried Grade 1 company in the Metropolitan Handicap, where he finished last of six.

 Saginaw could run next in the $250,000 Empire Classic at 1 1/8 miles or shorten up to six furlongs in the $150,000 Hudson Handicap, both on Oct. 20.

One race earlier, Dance Card galloped to a 7 1/2-length victory in the $85,000 Belle Cherie Stakes for 3-year-old fillies.

Breaking a step slow, Dance Card, under Ramon Dominguez, split horses to take command after an opening quarter-mile, galloped to the lead through fractions  of 46.88 for the half-mile, 1:10.42 for six furlongs, and covered the 1 1/16 miles in 1:41.12 despite drifting out several paths. She returned $3.90 as the 4-5 favorite.

 Dance Card, a daughter of Tapit owned by Darley Stable and trained by Kiaran McLaughlin, won for the third straight time after losing her debut to Book Review, winner of Saturday night’s $400,000 Charles Town Oaks.