Majid extends winning streak to four in Easy Goer Stakes

The Belmont main track was very kind to inside runners and speed horses Thursday and Friday, and the outcome of Saturday’s $150,000 Easy Goer Stakes, the first stakes event on the massive Belmont Stakes card, offered compelling evidence that the inside speed bias remains in effect.

Majid, a 5-1 shot in a field of only five, went right to the front in the Easy Goer, quickly set up shop on the inside, and never looked back on his way to a one-length victory.

Still Dreaming rallied up the inside to be second under the wire but was disqualified for coming out slightly in the late stages and interfering with fourth-place finisher and even-money favorite Alwaysmining.

That moved Grumps Little Tots up to second, and Alwaysmining up to third, and put Still Dreaming back to fourth. Outshine, the second choice in the wagering at 8-5, never threatened and finished last.

The Easy Goer was Majid’s fourth straight victory, all after moving into trainer Rudy Rodriguez’s barn. He began his streak in a $30,000 maiden claimer at Aqueduct in late January. This 3-year-old colt by Shackleford, owned by Zayat Stables and ridden by Luis Saez, paid $12.60.

Majid was prompted in the early stages by Alwaysmining, who had his own win streak stopped at six when he finished 11th in the Preakness three weeks ago, but was still able to get away with comfortable fractions of 23.70 seconds, 47.55, and 1:11.46.

As it turned out, Majid needed that easy pace, and the benefit of riding the crest of the track bias. While he shook off Alwaysmining late on the far turn and held a clear lead in midstretch, he noticeably weakened late but was still able to prevail, completing the 1 1/16 miles in 1:41.55.

This renewal of the Easy Goer was noteworthy as it marked the 30th anniversary of Easy Goer ending Sunday Silence’s Triple Crown bid with a decisive victory in the Belmont Stakes.