Blacktype outfinishes Kharafa by neck in Oceanport
Blacktype, fifth in each of his first two tries at the Grade 3 stakes level since arriving from France in the fall of 2014, broke through for his first stakes victory when he outbattled Kharafa in deep stretch to narrowly prevail in Sunday’s Grade 3, $158,500 Oceanport Stakes at Monmouth Park.
Sixth after the first six furlongs of the 1 1/16-mile turf race went in 1:14.38, the 5-year-old Blacktype ($7.60) launched a four-wide bid on the turn for home under Joe Bravo, pulled within a length of Kharafa at the eighth pole, and got up by a neck. The 7-year-old New York-bred Kharafa, seventh in last year’s Oceanport as the 6-5 favorite, briefly took a short lead inside the eighth pole before just failing to hold on. He finished 1 1/2 lengths clear of third-place War Dancer.
Blacktype, a French-bred son of Dunkerque trained by Christophe Clement for Jump Sucker Stable, completed the distance over a yielding course in 1:45.64.
“We thought we had the best horse in the race and that turned out to be true,” said Bravo, who was riding Blacktype for the first time. “The turf was in great shape, even with all the rain, and I was just happy to be aboard the best horse. He really dug in the final eighth and was able to push by late.”
Coming off a daylight win in a high-priced optional claimer four weeks ago at Belmont Park that produced a 100 Beyer Speed Figure, Blacktype is now 6 for 19 with earnings of $351,665.