Limousine Liberal overcomes trouble to win Belmont Sprint

ELMONT, N.Y. – Limousine Liberal finally proved he could win a race outside his native Kentucky while in the process earning himself an automatic berth in the Breeders’ Cup Sprint, which will be run this year in Kentucky at Churchill Downs, after wearing down Whitmore in the final strides to post a neck victory in Saturday’s $350,000 Belmont Sprint Championship.

Limousine Liberal had registered all eight previous victories at Churchill Downs, Ellis Park, or over his home base at Keeneland. His best efforts outside of Kentucky prior to Saturday included a third-place finish here last month in the Grade 1 Metropolitan Handicap, a third-place effort last summer at Saratoga in the Grade 1 Vanderbilt, and a second behind Runhappy as a 3-year-old in Saratoga's Grade 1 King’s Bishop.

Limousine Liberal raced within easy striking distance from the outset of the seven-furlong Belmont Sprint, several lengths off a swift early pace set by Shaft of Light. Limousine Liberal was knocked about between horses after Whitmore bulled his way inside the leaders at the top of the stretch, but was able to recover in time to ultimately wear that rival down at the end under strong handling from jockey Jose Ortiz.

Whitmore saved ground while close up down the backstretch then forced his way up inside the leaders, knocking Shaft of Light off stride and setting off a chain reaction at the top of the stretch. He eventually eased out to overtake Eye Luv Lulu near midstretch but could not withstand the winner at the end.

Eye Luv Lulu opened a clear lead after avoiding all the trouble in early stretch, but faltered late, finishing third, another 1 3/4 lengths behind Whitmore. Lewisfield, Favorable Outcome, and Shaft of Light, who got knocked severely off stride by Whitmore at the head of the lane.

After a claim of foul by the rider of Shaft of Light and a steward’s inquiry, the original result was allowed to stand.

Limousine Liberal, a homebred son of Successful Appeal owned by Katherine Ball, completed the distance in 1:21.53 over a fast track and paid $5.70.

“I was a little nervous when he got knocked around at the top of the stretch, but I could see Jose had a lot of horse, and I knew he was going to make his run,” said trainer Ben Colebrook. “I just didn’t want the wire to come too soon. He’s won five straight stakes at Churchill Downs, everything seems to work out perfectly for him there and not anywhere else. It didn’t work out perfect today either, but he was just the best horse.”

Colebrook said he’d likely give Limousine Liberal a little break while considering the Forego at Saratoga for his next start.

“It’s nice that we’ve got the automatic berth into the Sprint, although we were going to go to the Breeders’ Cup even if we had to pay our way in. We’ve got to defend our home turf.”