Homerique tops Brown-trained exacta in New York Stakes

ELMONT, N.Y. – The champion Sistercharlie hasn’t made it to the races yet this year, but that hasn’t stopped trainer Chad Brown from dominating the turf stakes for older fillies and mares.

As was the case when they ran against each other in the Grade 3 Beaugay here last month, Homerique outfinished stablemate Competitionofideas to win the Grade 2, $600,000 New York Stakes by a neck Friday at Belmont Park. It was 3 1/4 lengths back to Semper Sententiae in third.

This was the eighth graded turf stakes for older fillies and mares that Brown has won this year. In three of those, Brown runners finished first and second.

This was also the third time in the last four years that Brown runners finished at least 1-2 in the New York. In 2016, he actually ran 1-2-3 with Dacita, Sea Calisi, and Guapaza. Last year, Brown finished 1-2 with Fourstar Crook and Sistercharlie, the only defeat of Sistercharlie’s championship campaign.

:: Belmont Stakes one-stop shop: Get Clocker Reports, PPs, packages, and more

Sistercharlie, owned by Peter Brant, took ill earlier this year. She is training toward a comeback and is likely pointing to the Grade 1 Diana at Saratoga on July 13. Brant purchased Homerique last fall from Europe and, after a few setbacks, she has come out running with victories in the Beaugay and New York.

“She had some problems when she first came over, we rested her and fixed her, my whole team really did a great job,” Brown said. “They worked a lot with both of these horses, particularly Homerique given that she had to overcome some physical issues. Once again, my staff shows up on the big days.”

Earlier on the card, Brown won the Grade 3 Bed O’ Roses with Separationofpowers.

Irad Ortiz Jr. showed up as well. Unhappy with his position early on Homerique, Ortiz guided the filly to the inside down the backside and behind horses. The pace was slow as Lady Montdore ran an opening quarter in 25.24 seconds, but Giant Zinger, under Jose Ortiz, made an early move to the lead and the pace was 50.45 seconds for a half-mile and 1:14.69 for six furlongs.

Ortiz had Homerique only two lengths off the pace approaching the quarter pole and just needed some room in the stretch. Ortiz found room between Giant Zinger and Semper Sententiae and she slipped on through. Competitionofideas, under Javier Castellano, was making a big run on the outside. She was gaining on Homerique inside the eighth pole, but Homerique held her off for the victory.

Homerique, a 4-year-old Kentucky-bred daughter of Exchange Rate, covered the 1 1/4 miles over firm ground in 2:00.60 and returned $4 as the even-money favorite.

“I wasn’t so happy with my position on the backside,” Ortiz said. “I looked to the inside, nobody was there, so I let her go and then on her own she was pulling me on the bit, that’s what she wants to do. After the race we can say it was a good move because everything worked out good.”

Brown thought it was a good move.

“I think that really conserved some of her energy so she could kick home like she did,” Brown said.

Brown was also pleased with Competitionofideas, who was last after the opening six furlongs but came with a determined run under Javier Castellano.

“Competitionofideas really ran a great race from the back, she was completely out of position early which is not uncharacteristic for her given her lack of speed,” Brown said. “She came around horses and did the best she could to come up just short against a really good horse.”

Semper Sententiae got third by a head over Holy Helena who was followed, in order, by Vexatious, Matty’s Magnum, Giant Zinger, and Lady Montdore.