Instilled Regard headed to Manhattan Stakes

ELMONT, N.Y. – Instilled Regard’s victory in Saturday’s Grade 2 Fort Marcy Stakes impressed trainer Chad Brown because it was done over a turf course with give in the ground.

“It showed you how good he ran to do that,” Brown said. “His preferred ground is definitely firm.”

Brown will be hoping for firm turf July 4, when he attempts to stretch Instilled Regard out to 1 1/4 miles in the Grade 1, $400,000 Manhattan Stakes. Instilled Regard is a two-time graded winner at 1 1/8 miles. He finished third in the Pegasus at 1 3/16 miles on turf.

“It’s a bit of a stretch for him, but if the ground is firm and he works out another good trip and Irad [Ortiz Jr.] has been giving him really good trips in his races, it’s possible he could get the distance,” Brown said.

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Instilled Regard, owned by Larry Best’s OXO Equine, earned a 102 Beyer Speed Figure for the Fort Marcy win.

Devamani, who finished a late-running second to Instilled Regard, also could run in the Manhattan, Brown said. Flop Shot, who finished a disappointing fifth in the Fort Marcy, and Rockemperor, beaten a nose in the Grade 2 Charlie Whittingham at 1 1/4 miles at Santa Anita on May 23, also are pointing to the Manhattan.

Brown said he believes Flop Shot would move up over firm ground.

“I know he had run well with give in the ground in Europe, but from what I’ve seen in his training he definitely looks like he’s moved up on firmer ground,” Brown said. “I’m not opposed to trying him back.”