Main Sequence merits slight edge in Joe Hirsch Classic
ELMONT, N.Y. – The Grade 1 Joe Hirsch Turf Classic at Belmont Park on Saturday matches a battle-tested field of seven, many of whom are under consideration for the Breeders’ Cup. The $600,000 Hirsch is part of the BC Challenge Series, and the winner will earn a fees-paid berth in the Turf.
Favoritism in the 1 1/2-mile Hirsch is likely to go to Main Sequence, who has won Grade 1 races in both of his starts since being relocated from Britain. The Ken and Sarah Ramsey entry of Big Blue Kitten and Real Solution figures to be close behind in the betting.
DRF FORMULATOR FACT: No. 5 Main Sequence. Trainer Graham Motion is 8-4-1-0 with a $8.63 ROI over the past five years in graded stakes turf routes of 12 furlongs and longer with last-out winners. Click for more details. – Mike Hogan
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The field is completed by Imagining and Twilight Eclipse, who were narrowly beaten by Main Sequence in the Sword Dancer; Bowling Green winner Hangover Kid; and Medal Count, who may have found his calling when switched to turf in his latest start.
Main Sequence is perfect in the United States, but it hasn’t come easily, as both wins have been nail-biters. He rallied from well back to win the United Nations by a neck and the Sword Dancer by a head.
A quirky horse, trainer Graham Motion and his staff have worked long and hard to get the best out of the 5-year-old Main Sequence.
The racing careers of Big Blue Kitten and Real Solution are winding down as they will both go to stud next year at Ramsey Farm alongside their sire, Kitten’s Joy.
DRF FORMULATOR FACT: No. 1 Big Blue Kitten and No. 1A Real Solution. Trainer Chad Brown is 11-1-2-1 with a $0.71 ROI over the past five years in graded stakes turf routes of 12 furlongs and longer. Click for more details. – Mike Hogan
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Now 6, Big Blue Kitten has only started twice this year, finishing well at shorter-than-optimal distances both times. In 2013, he won the United Nations at 1 3/8 miles, the Sword Dancer at 1 1/2 miles, and was beaten a nose in the Hirsch before finishing ninth in the Breeders’ Cup.
“He was a little over the top by the time we got to the Breeders’ Cup last year. We got him to the race, but he may not have been at his best,” trainer Chad Brown said. “This year, we started later. It was kind of frustrating, but if we win the big races, it may have worked to our advantage. The Hirsch is his distance.”
Joe Hirsch Turf Classic, race 9
KEY CONTENDERS
Main Sequence (Last 2 Beyers: 102-100)
◗ Has missed the break in both of his U.S. races. He was a little tardy at the start of the United Nations, then hit the side of the gate at the beginning of the Sword Dancer and spotted the field several lengths.
Big Blue Kitten (Last 3 Beyers: 103-102-98)
◗ He has a 3-2-1-0 record over the Belmont turf and is 4-2-1-0 in races at 1 3/8 miles or longer.
Twilight Eclipse (100-100-86)
◗ Did not acclimate well when sent to Dubai for the Sheema Classic in March, according to trainer Tom Albertrani. Looked like a winner in midstretch of the United Nations before getting nailed by Main Sequence.
“In the U.N., he kind of got boxed in,” Albertrani said. “If he could have got out a little earlier, it might have been the difference between winning and losing.”
Real Solution (87-102-97)
◗ Won the 1 1/4-mile Manhattan on Belmont Stakes Day but came up empty in the Arlington Million at 2-1.
“He didn’t handle the paddock well at Arlington, and he was worse when he got to the gate,” Brown said. “He’s a hot horse, but he’d handled that kind of trip before. He just didn’t handle it this time.”
◗ Finished third, beaten a length, in this race a year ago, but 1 1/2 miles may be a little farther than he prefers. “He’s more like a mile-and-a-quarter horse,” Brown said.
Hangover Kid (96-104-29)
◗ Was entered in the West Point for New York-breds at Saratoga on Aug. 24 but came down with a stone bruise and missed a little training time, according to trainer Jason Servis.