Legend of Time finds room, prevails by a head in Pennine Ridge

Legend of Time added a North American stakes win to his résumé Saturday, when the European runner forged between horses late for a head win over White Palomino in the Grade 2, $200,000 Pennine Ridge at the Belmont meet at Aqueduct. It was another 1 1/4 lengths back in third to Royal Majesty.

The race rewarded its first three finishers with an invitation to the Grade 1, $750,000 Belmont Derby on July 6, according to the New York Racing Association.

Legend of Time ($3.80) stumbled at the start of the 1 1/8-mile race run on the outer turf Saturday and trailed as White Palomino set fractions of 23.67 seconds for the opening quarter, 48.76 for the half-mile, and 1:12.98 for six furlongs. Legend of Time found room between rivals in the stretch and caught White Palomino nearing the wire. The winner covered the distance on firm ground in 1:47.73.

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“That worked out good,” winning rider Joel Rosario told NYRA. “I mean, I was trapped inside there for a little bit. It looked like I had the horse, so it worked out good.

"The instructions were try to follow along and hopefully he will relax. Then, go from there. It looked like he relaxed really nice, and I just had to find a place to go. He was the best horse in the race."

Legend of Time races for Godolphin and is trained by Charlie Appleby. He has now won 5 of 7 starts and has earnings of $393,771.

Legend of Time is a son of Sea The Stars and the stakes-winning mare Kissable. Kissable’s foals include the Group 1 winner Loving Dream.

Legend of Time won the $217,800 Jumeirah Classic at about 1 1/8 miles over the Meydan turf course March 2. In his North American debut, he was fifth in the Grade 2 American Turf on May 4 at Churchill Downs.

Risk Tolerance was scratched from the Pennine Ridge.

Legend of Time was bred in England.

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