Impressive maiden winners meet in Awad Stakes

ELMONT, N.Y. – War Chest and Way Early were both visually impressive debut winners over the turf course at this meet. On Saturday, the two headline a field of 10 entered in the $100,000 Awad Stakes for 2-year-olds going a mile over Belmont’s Widener turf course.

War Chest, a son of War Front trained by Shug McGaughey, broke last in a field of 12, made a middle move to get into contention, swung widest of all turning for home, and ran down Congruity to win a maiden race by a length. He ran a mile in 1:34.74 and earned a Beyer Speed Figure of 77.

“I expected him to run good,” McGaughey said. “He was kind of green; he weaved his way through horses. He’s done well since. It’s a big step forward, but it’s about the same for all of them.”

War Chest will break from post 6 under Jose Lezcano.

Way Early, a son of Tizway, beat New York-breds by two lengths Sept. 20 after overcoming a bit of a slow start. He, too, had to go wide, and ran down a loose-on-the-lead Rockin Jo. He covered a mile in 1:35.83 and earned a 69 Beyer.

“He’s been kind of a green horse,” trainer George Weaver said. “I didn’t know if he would put it together first time out or not. We felt like we’d give this thing a try and see how it stacked up. If he wins it, it means he’s decent.”

Also in the Awad is Therapist, a New York-bred son of Freud who beat statebreds here in July and won the Laurel Futurity on Sept. 16. Both races were at six furlongs, and he rallied from well off the pace. Trainer Christophe Clement is confident he can stretch out to a mile. Clement bred the horse, and he was the trainer of the dam, Lady Renaissance.

“He doesn’t have to be so far out of it,” Clement said.

Completing the field are Looking Ready, Bourbon Currency, Sand Dancer, Empirically, V.I.P. Code, Devine Entry, and Lone Sentry.