Belmont Park
Up the Ante headed for Hall of Fame Stakes after Manila win
Joe Labozzetta/NYRA Javier Castellano piloted Up the Ante to a 3 1/2-length victory in Wednesday's Manila Stakes.
ELMONT, N.Y. – Up the Ante, the 3 1/2-length winner of Wednesday’s $100,000 Manila Stakes for 3-year-olds, will likely make his next start in the Grade 2, $200,000 National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame Stakes at Saratoga on Aug. 3, trainer Christophe Clement said Friday.
Up the Ante went gate to wire under Javier Castellano in the Manila, easily defeating heavily favored Raging Bull, the 1-2 favorite.
“Nice horse,” Clement said. “I thought he was impressive. Everybody said he stole the race. I’m not so sure he stole the race the way he opened up in the stretch. I’m not sure you call that stealing. I thought he ran well.”
Up the Ante earned a career-best 95 Beyer Speed Figure in the Manila.
