Belgrano holds off Proven Strategies in Select Stakes
It was in August 2020 that Belgrano, who had raced nearly exclusively around two turns, found his calling as a turf sprinter. The 8-year-old showed Sunday at Monmouth Park that he’s still got it.
With a major assist from a perfect trip engineered by jockey Jorge Vargas Jr., Belgrano won the $100,000 Select Stakes by a neck over late-closing Proven Strategies. High Limit Room, who lost ground on the turn while Begrano hugged the rail, finished third, 1 1/4 lengths behind Proven Strategies and 1 1/2 lengths in front of The Critical Way. The Critical Way won a heated pace battle (fractions of 21.97 and 44.48) over 13-10 favorite Carotari, who faded to seventh, but eventually was done in by his exertions during the early and middle stages.
The Critical Way had established a lonely lead last month going wire to wire in the $100,000 Get Serious, another Monmouth turf sprint, but with Carotari applying intense second-quarter-mile pressure, the Select went to stalkers and closers. Fourth in the Get Serious over five furlongs, Belgrano stretched out to his preferred 5 1/2-furlong trip Sunday.
“He needs that little extra distance to do what he does. At five furlongs if there’s any disorder in the race it’s hard to get up if you’re a closer like he is,” said Frank Russo, who trains Belgrano for Peace Sign Stables.
Vargas made the most of favorable circumstances, slotting his mount into a ground-saving stalking trip right from the start. Vargas and Belgrano came into contention past the quarter pole, Vargas steering outside in upper stretch to hit a hole between The Critical Way and Carotari as Belgrano went willingly through and on to his ninth victory from 41 starts. Belgrano was timed in 1:02.16 on a firm course (the temporary rail was set at 12 feet) and paid $18.80 to win.
Proven Strategies also saved ground around the far turn before making a wide bid through the homestretch that fell just short. High Limit Room, breaking from post 10, never was able to save ground going round the bend, and finished somewhat flat accordingly.
Belgrano, bred by Stonestreet Thoroughbred Holdings, has gone 5-1-3 from 13 starts since he began turf sprinting as a 6-year-old and the gelding, by War Front out of Ask the Moon, by Malibu Moon, holds a special affinity for the Monmouth course: His Sunday success ran his local mark to 8-5-1-0.