Evaluator by a nose in Sleepy Hollow Stakes

ELMONT, N.Y. – Nobody was happier to see the way the pace was developing early in Saturday’s $250,000 Sleepy Hollow at Belmont Park than Michael Dilger, the trainer of the stretch-running Evaluator, who capitalized by rallying from more than a dozen lengths off the leaders to a nose decision over a hard-luck Big Gemmy in the 1 1/16-mile stakes for New York-bred 2-year-olds.

An early battle between co-favorites Battle Station and Stoney Bennett set the stage for Evaluator, a son of Overanalyze who was making his first start on dirt after opening his career with three turf races. Evaluator, who raced wide throughout, commenced his rally after six furlongs before running down Big Gemmy in the closing strides.

Big Gemmy, well placed from the outset, struck the front in early stretch and continued on gamely but could not last. Inalienable Rights passed tired rivals to finish another four lengths back in third.

Evaluator, ridden by Manny Franco, returned $40.20 for his second win in four starts.

“He’s always worked very well on the dirt,” Dilger said of his decision to switch the horse from turf to the main track. “We probably went to the turf looking for distance because that was the most important thing for this horse during the summer. Then he ran so well, we had to roll with it. It’s all about the trip for him, and that pace scenario today really played to his strength.”