Have At It rallies up the rail to take Hill Prince

Have At It parlayed a perfect trip along with an uncharacteristically poor performance by the odds-on favorite Raging Bull into a one-length victory over fellow longshot Sand Dancer in Saturday’s $500,000 Hill Prince at Belmont Park. Prioritize finished third with Raging Bull, the overwhelming 2-5 choice, finishing fifth in the Grade 2 turf fixture for 3-year-olds.

Have At It was soundly beaten by Raging Bull in their two previous encounters including by 8 1/4 lengths in the Grade 2 Hall of Fame this summer at Saratoga. But trainer Christophe Clement felt the improving son of Kitten’s Joy was doing well enough to be given another chance against Raging Bull in a graded stakes.

With jockey David Cohen taking the call for the first time, Have At It attended the early pace set by Sand Dancer, who posted relatively easy splits of 24.94 seconds, 49.57 and 1:13.71 while well clear on the lead for the opening six furlongs. Sand Dancer settled into the stretch with a seemingly comfortable advantage but began to shorten stride at midstretch, with Cohen driving Have At It up inside the tiring leader to win going away. Prioritize also saved ground throughout, rallying mildly to finish another head back in third.

Raging Bull, who came into the Hill Prince having won 4 of his 5 career starts – including both the Hall of Fame and Grade 3 Saranac at Saratoga – raced within easy striking distance of the leader from the outset but could not muster a closing response while finishing 2 3/4 lengths behind the winner.

Have At It, a homebred owned by Robert Evans, completed 1 1/8 miles over a turf course rated good in 1:50.52. He returned $24.20.

“He had a very good work here the other day so I called Mr. Evans afterwards and asked if it was okay to take shot to enter him here,” said Clement. “He’s always willing to take a shot because he loves competing in stakes races.”

Clement said he believed Have It All has always been a nice horse, it just took a while to figure him out.

“Every time he’s been ridden forwardly this year, he’s run very well,” said Clement. “I was a little bit worried on the turn that the horse on the lead got loose and we couldn’t catch him, but he really quickened and got there so it’s a lot of fun. This is a great win, a Grade 2 with some of the best turf 3-year-olds here in New York. I’ll have to talk to Mr. Evans about the next step but as for now we’ll hope he comes out of it well and keep all options open.”