Dr Post rallies to win Westchester Stakes

Favored Dr Post wore down pacesetter Mr. Buff in the stretch en route to 1 1/2-length score in Saturday’s Grade 3, $200,000 Westchester Stakes at Belmont.

Mr. Buff went straight to the front and set moderate fractions of 24.53 seconds and 48.05 in the one-turn mile for 4-year-olds and up. With Manny Franco aboard, Dr Post took up the chase in second and pressed Mr Buff early before the latter opened up a daylight advantage.

Dr Post re-engaged Mr. Buff on the turn, and then hit the front at the eighth pole before edging away late to prevail in a time of 1:35.14.

Wicked Trick went from the rail to the outside in midstretch to nail a weakening Mr. Buff on the wire for second, while Top Seed checked in fourth in the six-horse field.

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The rider on Top Seed lodged an objection against Wicked Trick for interference in the stretch, and there was a stewards’ inquiry as well, but the order of finish stood.

Making his first start in eight months, Dr Post ($4.80) earned $110,000 for St. Elias Stable and trainer Todd Pletcher. The 4-year-old son of Quality Road finished second in last year’s Grade 1 Belmont Stakes after taking the Unbridled at Gulfstream, his only previous stakes success.