Channel Cat, Gufo could meet again in Manhattan
ELMONT, N.Y. - Channel Cat and Gufo, separated by a nose in Saturday’s Grade 1, $700,000 Man o’ War Stakes, are likely to meet again at some point this year, potentially as soon as June 5 in the Grade 1, $750,000 Manhattan on the undercard of the Belmont Stakes.
Jack Sisterson, trainer of Channel Cat, said his horse came out of the Man o’ War in good order and he would take him back to Keeneland, where Sisterson is based, and watch him train before deciding where to run next. Sisterson noted that Channel Cat ran in the Man o’ War just three weeks after the Elkhorn.
“Although he’s 6 years old we hope to have a long, fun year with him, I just don’t want to put him over the top too early in the year, if that makes sense,” Sisterson said. “We will not rule out the Manhattan. He handled the ship up here, which was a first for him; the other times he ran here he walked out of his own barn when Todd [Pletcher] had him.”
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Sisterson said another option for Channel Cat would be the Grade 1, $500,000 United Nations at Monmouth Park on July 17. That could set him up for a start in the Grade 1 Sword Dancer at Saratoga on Aug. 28.
Channel Cat’s victory in the Man o’ War was his first since he won the Grade 2 Bowling Green for Pletcher in 2019.
Meanwhile, trainer Christophe Clement said Gufo was in good order on Sunday and that the Manhattan would be the next target.
“I was very happy with the race, of course disappointed he got beat,” Clement said. “It was a very good race first time back, well done to the winner, it’s okay, we go on. The goal is to go for the Manhattan.”
From Thursday to Saturday at Belmont, Clement had six wins and four seconds from 12 starters.
Moon Over Miami, third, beaten a neck in the Man o’ War, will not be pointed to the Manhattan, trainer Bill Mott said.
“There’ll be different horses in the Manhattan,” Mott said.
Mott said that Beaugay winner Harvey’s Lil Goil, will be pointed to the Grade 2, $750,000 New York Stakes on June 4.
Harvey’s Lil Goil won the Beaugay by a half-length over Lemista, and earned a 101 Beyer Speed Figure for the effort. Mott said he looks forward to stretching Harvey’s Lil Goil out to 1 1/4 miles in the New York.
“I think she can handle it,” said Mott, who will also run Antoinette in the New York.