Favored Middleburg tops Cliff Hanger

Even-money favorite Middleburg topped a Bert and Diana Firestone-owned and -bred exacta Sunday in the Grade 3 Cliff Hanger Stakes at Monmouth Park.

Middleburg and the runner-up Special Envoy were both bred in Virginia by the Firestones, who over the years have raced six champions, including Genuine Risk, the 3-year-old filly champion of 1980 who was the first filly to win the Kentucky Derby since Regret in 1915.

Their other champions are Honest Pleasure, the top 2-year-old colt of 1975; What a Summer, the sprint champion of 1977; April Run, the best female turf runner of 1982; Theatrical, the top turf male of 1987; and Jimmy Lorenzo, the champion Steeplechase horse of 1988.

Middleburg saved ground along the inner rail in the $100,000 Cliff Hanger as Inchcape set a relatively slow pace of 24.08, 48.74, and 1:13.09 while being pressed from the outside by Special Envoy.

Special Envoy took the lead in the stretch while Middleburg remained pinned in with Joe Bravo looking for a way out. In midstretch, a seam opened, and Bravo sent Middleburg after Special Envoy from the outside. Middleburg accelerated nicely to win by a neck.

Middleburg, a 5-year-old son of Lemon Drop Kid, paid $4 to win while completing 1 1/8 miles over firm turf in 1:48.52, following a mile in 1:36.71. The Firestone exacta of Middleburg over the 14-1 Special Envoy, the longest shot in the six-horse field, paid $36.20.

Middleburg is trained by Christophe Clement, and Special Envoy is conditioned by Arnaud Delacour.

Lochte, who raced outside Middleburg for much of the race, finished third, a neck behind Special Envoy. It was three-quarters of a length farther back to Inchape in fourth.

Glenard, the 5-2 second choice, raced within striking position to the stretch but came up empty and finished fifth, 1 1/2 lengths behind Inchcape.