Main Sequence draws post 6 in tough United Nations

On Sunday, double Eclipse Award winner Main Sequence will make his first start since the March 28 Sheema Classic at Meydan in the Grade 1 United Nations at Monmouth Park.

The United Nations, a 1 3/8-mile turf race, is part of the Breeders’ Cup Challenge series, and the winner will receive a fees-paid berth to the Breeders’ Cup Turf at Keeneland on Oct. 31. The Sunday Monmouth card also includes the Grade 3, $150,000 Salvator Mile on dirt.

Main Sequence won the U.N. last year in his U.S. debut for trainer Graham Motion and went on to win the Sword Dancer, Joe Hirsch Turf Classic, and Breeders’ Cup Turf in succession. He was voted champion turf horse and top older horse for his undefeated season.

The U.N. has attracted a strong nine-horse field, and Main Sequence will have to be at his best coming off a three-month layoff. Main Sequence finished seventh of nine in the Sheema Classic after racing closer to the pace than usual.

Main Sequence drew post 6 in the U.N. and will have Rajiv Maragh aboard.

The U.N. field includes Slumber and Big Blue Kitten, the one-two finishers in the Grade 1 Manhattan on Belmont Stakes Day for Chad Brown.

Slumber, who won the Manhattan at 14-1 while adding blinkers, will start from post 5 under Irad Ortiz Jr. Big Blue Kitten, the 2013 U.N. winner, has post 3 and will be ridden by Joe Bravo.

Ashleyluvssugar ships in from California for trainer Peter Eurton. Ashleyluvssugar has won three races in a row at Santa Anita, including a pair of Grade 2s, the Charles Whittingham and the San Luis Rey. Gary Stevens will be aboard when Ashleyluvssugar breaks from post 8.

Where you find Main Sequence, you usually find Twilight Eclipse, who finished either second or third behind Main Sequence in five straight races beginning in last year’s U.N. and continuing through Main Sequence’s 2015 debut victory in the Mac Diarmida at Gulfstream in February. Twilight Eclipse, who won the Grade 1 Man o’ War at Belmont in May for trainer Tom Albertrani, has the inside post and Monmouth’s leading rider, Paco Lopez.

Imagining won the Grade 2 Pan American at Gulfstream in March. John Velasquez will be in to ride for Shug McGaughey from post 7.

The U.N. field also includes Sycamore Lane, Shining Copper, and Divine Oath.

:: Monmouth Park: Get PPs, watch Sunday’s card live

Salvator Mile: Red Vine vs. Race Day

The Salvator Mile will match Red Vine, who has won three races in a row since being transferred to dirt by trainer Christophe Clement, and Race Day, who won the Razorback and Oaklawn handicaps this spring for Todd Pletcher.

Red Vine won the Majestic Light at Monmouth in his most recent start May 23. Race Day has not started since winning the Oaklawn Handicap on April 11.

The Salvator Mile also includes the local favorite Pants On Fire, who is 3 for 7 at Monmouth Park and has raced here every season since 2010. Pants On Fire has won the Grade 2 Monmouth Cup, Grade 3 Pegasus, and Skip Away at Monmouth for owners George and Lori Hall and trainer Kelly Breen.

The Salvator Mile also includes Fabulous Kid, who was supplemented to the Salvator, Bradester, Just Call Kenny, Valid, Coup de Grace, Don Dulce, and Decisive Moment.