Instilled Regard likely headed to Churchill for Old Forester Turf Classic

ELMONT, N.Y. – With the Arlington Million shelved this year, trainer Chad Brown will most likely have to wait a while before being able to run Instilled Regard and Rockemperor, the 1-2 finishers in Saturday’s Grade 1 Manhattan Stakes.

Brown will likely wait until the $1 million Old Forester Turf Classic on Sept. 5 at Churchill Downs.

“That’s what we’re going to have to do,” Brown said. “I don’t see anything between now and then. I’ll freshen these horses up and go for it.”

Brown had some concerns about Instilled Regard’s ability to get 1 1/4 miles over ground that was less than firm. Though the turf courses were labeled firm, they had taken significant rain Friday night.

“We continue to learn new things about him,” Brown said. “He won his last two with a little bit of moisture in the ground, which has been a pleasant surprise. He’s a horse that’s continued to come around and improve, and he’s even done a couple of things beyond my expectations.”

In two starts this year, Rockemperor lost the Grade 2 Charlie Whittingham by a nose and the Grade 1 Manhattan by a neck.

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“He’s a hard-luck horse, he’s got a big race with his name on it somewhere,” said Brown, who while saying he would point Rockemperor to the Old Forester added “I reserve the right to change my mind.”

Instilled Regard and Rockemperor each earned a 102 Beyer Speed Figure for the Manhattan.