Dakota Gold capitalizes on strong pace to win Hudson Valley Stakes

ELMONT, N.Y. – Now that Dakota Gold’s mental makeup is catching up to his physical ability, he is developing into a serious horse in the New York-bred older male turf division.

Taking advantage of a strong early pace and a smooth trip, Dakota Gold took control at the eighth pole and proceeded to polish his race off professionally in winning Monday’s inaugural $125,000 Hudson Valley Stakes by three lengths at Belmont Park.

His final time of 1:32.48 for the mile over firm ground was very good. He returned $3.90 as the favorite.

“Mentally, he’s growing a little more, much better than last year,” winning rider Irad Ortiz Jr. said. “Last year, he won some big races but he was still looking around and didn’t know what he was doing. Last time and today, he showed he grow a little bit and he’s in business right now.”

Last time, Dakota Gold finished third, beaten a half-length, in the Kingston Stakes. He didn’t break well that day and got into some traffic behind a slow pace. Still, he closed well to nearly get there.

Monday, he broke with the pack, was taken about four lengths off the pace by Ortiz while Call Me Harry ran an opening quarter in 22.67 seconds and was joined by Ruse for a half-mile in 45.67.

Ortiz rallied three wide on the turn, came five wide in the lane, and collard Ruse and Jerry the Nipper, who was an up-close third, by the eighth pole before drawing away to win handily.

:: Get Belmont Park Clocker Reports from Mike Welsch and the Clocker Team. Available every race day.

Somelikeithotbrown, an earner of $1.6 million, rallied from last to get second, a neck in front of Jerry the Nipper. Hush of a Storm was fourth, followed by Ruse, Call Me Harry, and Cold Hard Cash.

Unfortunately, Cold Hard Cash fell galloping out past the wire and died due to cardiovascular collapse. Jockey Jose Lezcano was uninjured and came back to win the next race on the card aboard Maythisbetheone.

Dakota Gold, a 4-year-old son of Freud, won for the fifth time in 11 starts. It was his fourth stakes victory. He is owned by Reeves Thoroughbred Racing and trained by Danny Gargan.

Dakota Gold is a half-brother to the 3-year-old Ramblin’ Wreck, who won the Spectacular Bid division of the New York Stallion Stakes on June 18.

:: Want to learn more about handicapping and wagering? Check out DRF's Handicapping 101 and Wagering 101 pages.